One word can describe the Bruins’ regular-season finale.

Bittersweet.

While Utah stormed the court, members of UCLA consoled freshman Aadarsh Tripathi with embraces.

UCLA men’s tennis (12-9, 3-5 Pac-12) fell to No. 19 Utah (21-3, 6-1) on Saturday afternoon after Francisco Bastias willed the Utes to a 4-3 win on court three.

On the Bruins’ Senior Day, with a crowd as large as it had been all season, everything seemed to be going right.

Tripathi was up 5-3, 40-0 in his third set, poised to clinch the upset win for UCLA.

But inexperience in big moments proved too large an obstacle to overcome.

Tripathi went on to drop eight straight points to Bastias en route to a 6-1, 4-6, 5-7 loss. The freshman tightened up in his final few games, letting the match slip away with error after unforced error.

Redshirt senior Patrick Zahraj left the match with a positive outlook though and said it will allow the team to utilize the experience in the future.

“It’s tough right now, but I’m pretty sure once we step on the court next Thursday we’ll be ready and will have learned from today,” Zahraj said.

Luckily for Tripathi, he still has years to redeem himself at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.

But for Zahraj, Saturday marked the last time he stepped onto the LATC courts as a Bruin. The redshirt senior said he tried to stay present throughout the day and didn’t consider the gravity of the match until it was over.

“It really hit me after the match point that it was the last match in that stadium,” Zahraj said.

Coach Billy Martin delivered short speeches for Zahraj and senior Drew Baird after doubles finished up and gifted them plaques to commemorate their time on the team.

Martin added that it was bittersweet to see them go after all these years.

“You get to know them really, really well, maybe better than mom and dad do,” Martin said. “It goes so fast.”

Saturday’s crowd gave Zahraj a fitting sendoff, filling the stands with cheers and claps throughout the entire three-hour match.

Gianluca Ballotta also noted the energy from the crowd, which he said was needed as he grinded away against Berk Bugarikj – a much taller opponent who inflicted big serves and powerful shots.

The freshman said the crowd provided a boost and pumped him up during his match.

“I really appreciate every single person that came today,” Ballotta said. “It was definitely a big support for us.”

And while the result may not have been what the crowd was hoping for, there was still a Bruin who left content.

Zahraj said he soaked in the atmosphere of the LATC after his doubles and singles wins while reflecting on his career at UCLA.

“Couldn’t have closed a chapter in a better way,” Zahraj said.