Women’s tennis team shows potential despite loss to Fresno State
Senior Catherine Harrison praised freshman Alaina Miller for battling to stay in the final match of the day. The Bruins were upset by the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday. (Daily Bruin file photo)
By Kyle Cardoza
Jan. 24, 2016 3:24 p.m.
All eyes were on freshman Alaina Miller during the final ten minutes of the UCLA women’s tennis bout against Fresno State on Saturday afternoon at the ITA Kick-Off Weekend Indoor Qualifier.
The Bruins were tied with the Bulldogs 3-3 and Miller had rallied a comeback against the Fresno State’s Galina Bykova. Miller’s unique two-handed forehand, quick mobility and composure helped her come within two games of Bykova before falling in the final set, giving the Bulldogs the win.
The team’s effort, especially from the underclassmen, proved the Bruins had little reason to walk away from the match disappointed.
Senior Catherine Harrison praised her younger teammates, especially Miller, for continuously battling to stay in each match and upholding what she called the team’s “never-give-up attitude.”
“(Miller) was playing with so much courage and was crushing the ball,” Harrison said. “For her to be out there with no fear was unbelievable.”
UCLA cruised past UC Irvine last Friday in its season-opening match at the Los Angeles Tennis Center, winning 4-0. Seniors Kyle McPhillips and Laura Luca notched wins in the singles draw, while Miller and sophomore Kristin Wiley impressively swept their opponents 6-0 in their doubles matchup.
Though UC Irvine’s patient, compact style of play was no match for No. 9 UCLA, Fresno State proved to be a much more formidable opponent. The Bulldogs’ more aggressive approach caught the Bruins off-guard. The combination of strong play at the net and powerful serve returns kept the home team on its heels.
Fresno State’s Olivia Noble and Sofya Malysheva edged out Wiley and Miller to clinch the doubles point, giving the Bulldogs momentum heading into the singles matches. This proved to be crucial, as the doubles point was the difference between a win and a loss for the Bruins.
“The doubles point was key (today). It always helps to have that kind of momentum going into singles,” McPhillips said.
During the singles matches, sophomore Maia Magill relied heavily on her forehand and serve to outlast her opponent in three sets, while McPhillips and Harrison each dominated in their respective matches. The Bruins’ inexperience proved to be their Achilles’ heel in the end, however, according to coach Stella Sampras Webster.
“We didn’t lose this match because of lack of effort or desire, but rather execution and lack of match play,” Sampras Webster said. “I give Fresno credit, they have more experience and have a good team.”
Despite the loss, the Bruins found many positive points to take away from this match in order to improve for the rest of the season.
The strong performances by the seniors and athletic talent the underclassmen exhibited show the Bruins’ potential, but it may take time for this young team to blossom into a national contender.
Sampras Webster said this week’s practices will focus on serves, doubles matches and building confidence before taking on Saint Mary’s on Friday.
“What is important is keeping the team together, keeping them up and motivated and ready to practice and work hard,” Sampras Webster said.
