Women’s tennis
Lori Garavartanian, Daily Bruin contributor

The Bruins rallied behind Kimmi Hance on Tuesday as the senior secured the team’s season-opening sweep.

And heading into the weekend, the team united around a new goal – a trip to the ITA National Team Indoor Championships.

As part of ITA Kickoff Weekend, No. 6 UCLA women’s tennis (1-0) will duel Washington (1-0) on Saturday at the Los Angeles Tennis Center. UCLA was initially set to face No. 23 Central Florida on Friday, but the Knights announced their withdrawal from the match Tuesday, citing safety concerns regarding uncertainties in the LA area. Columbia, which was scheduled to battle Washington on Friday, also withdrew from the tournament.

“Hopefully we can use our home-court advantage this weekend and get after it,” said coach Stella Sampras Webster. “Hopefully, we can make it to the team indoors.”

If the Bruins come out on top, they’ll earn a trip to the ITA National Team Indoor Championships in February.

“I want to bring the same energy,” said freshman Olivia Center after UCLA’s 7-0 win Tuesday. “I was super pumped up and positive, and I think that’ll be important to bring. I want to get after it as soon as I step on the court.”

UCLA is 27-5 against Washington since 1999 – last defeating the Huskies 4-0 in March as part of an eight-game win streak. And Saturday, the two longtime conference foes will face off once again – this time as Big Ten rivals.

“We have practice tomorrow. We have practice the next couple days,” said senior Elise Wagle. “It’s just keeping that consistency going. This weekend’s going to be another match and I’m looking forward to it.”

Men’s tennis
Lamar Tuker, Daily Bruin staff

Tennis is about more than the final score, said Rudy Quan on Monday after the Bruins’ first defeat of the year.

“Wins and losses don’t really matter as much as long as you get information out of it,” the freshman said. “That’s the most important thing.”

No. 21 UCLA men’s tennis (1-1) will travel to Boston to compete in ITA Kickoff Weekend at the Murr Center. UCLA will face No. 13 Texas A&M on Saturday before dueling either No. 23 Harvard or Georgia on Sunday.

“We’re right there,” Quan said Monday after UCLA’s 4-3 loss to then-No. 16 San Diego.“This team is only going to get better. … It’s a long season. This is only the second match.”

The winner of the tournament is awarded a spot in February’s ITA National Team Indoor Championships. However, the Bruins, accustomed to the outdoor LA Tennis Center, will need to make adjustments before Saturday’s affair.

“The fact that we’re going indoors adds a little bit of nuance to it,” said coach Billy Martin. “We’re not used to indoor tennis, so we’ve got a crash course on Thursday and Friday to get used to the conditions and hopefully be ready on Saturday.”

In 2024, the Bruins lost to the Aggies 4-3 and split the season series against the Crimson at one apiece. On the other hand, UCLA hasn’t faced Georgia since 2017.

Out of the five current Bruins who have faced the Aggies, only senior Giacomo Revelli and junior Gianluca Ballotta have claimed a win – but both have yet to play in 2025.

No. 13 sophomore Spencer Johnson picked up two singles wins and – with partner redshirt sophomore Emon van Loben Sels – two doubles wins against Harvard last season.

For most of UCLA’s roster though – especially freshmen Quan and Kaylan Bigun, who’ve served as Martin’s No. 3 doubles pair and No. 2 and No. 3 singles players, respectively, this season – the trip east will bring unfamiliar matchups.

Track and field
Sam Barbir, Daily Bruin contributor

The Bruins finally had a full week of preparation after an adverse start to their season.

UCLA track and field will travel to Indianapolis to compete in the Crossroads of America Invitational on Friday. Since returning from winter break, the LA County wildfires temporarily shut down practices, only resuming just before its season opener in Spokane, Washington, last week. However, the team still competed and hopes to build on its performance.

“I saw some great potential,” said coach Joanna Hayes. “I’m proud of them for adapting, and they’re doing a great job with being excited about this year.”

Sophomore Taylor Snaer got her Division I career off to a hot start at the Bruins’ season opener, running the third-fastest 60-meter dash in program history in her first collegiate indoor meet. The Manteca, California, local spent her freshman season at Modesto Junior College and represented Team USA in August at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru – competing in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 4×100 relay.

“Taylor has a huge upside. I think that she’s getting stronger and faster,” Hayes said. “She’s a hard worker. … When she locks in, she locks in and she goes for it.”

Freshman triple jumper Karson Gordon and redshirt senior sprinter and hurdler Yanla Ndjip-Nyemeck also produced team-leading finishes, both posting top-five marks in the NCAA this season.

With Westwood resuming regular operations, the Bruins have been able to use the full week of training to fine-tune their craft. In what Hayes has called a “rebuilding year,” she said she hopes the team can capitalize on the momentum they’ve built.

Field events at the Crossroads of America Invitational will start at 3 p.m. Friday, with track events beginning at 4 p.m.

“My team doesn’t have anything to lose. I’m going to work my butt off to make a big splash at the conference (and) at a national level,” Hayes said.