This post was updated February 26 at 12:28 a.m.

An extended break from competition can be a challenge for many teams.

But it could be exactly what the Bruins need to get back on track.

No. 23 UCLA women’s tennis (4-2) will play its first contest in more than two weeks – and its first at home in more than three – when it faces No. 25 Pepperdine (4-6) at the Los Angeles Tennis Center on Wednesday. The Bruins have dropped 18 spots in the ITA rankings since the beginning of the dual-match season and 12 spots since the Feb. 12 ranking update, despite not competing since Feb. 9.

No. 6 seed Oklahoma snapped UCLA’s undefeated streak in the first round of the ITA National Team Indoor Championships on Feb. 7, and a loss to No. 7 seed LSU in its first consolation match the following day marked UCLA’s first losing streak in more than a year.

However, UCLA managed to depart the Midwest with a victory over tournament host and No. 8 seed Illinois.

“Playing three matches back-toback and back in Illinois was tough, and I think we’re ready to get back to it,” said senior Elise Wagle.

After playing their last three matches on indoor courts – a setting known for faster play compared to outdoor – the Bruins will return to LATC’s familiar, open environment Wednesday.

And while UCLA’s perfect start to the season has been shattered, its 21-match win streak in Westwood remains intact, extending back to March 2023.

“We practice on these courts every day, so it’s definitely nice to be able to stay here,” said sophomore Ahmani Guichard. “But we still have to be super focused and get it done.”

The Bruins will enter Wednesday’s contest with three players in the ITA singles top 50 – No. 28 junior Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer, No. 42 freshman Kate Fakih and No. 49 Wagle – along with three ranked doubles pairings in No. 4 Fakih and freshman Olivia Center, No. 13 Wagle and senior Kimmi Hance, and No. 59 Guichard and Lutkemeyer.​​

Across the net, Pepperdine is coming off a 5-2 win Saturday against then-No. 18 California. No. 16 Savannah Broadus and No. 52 Anastasiia Grechkina are both riding on singles victories against the Golden Bears. Broadus and her doubles partner, Vivian Yang – together ranked the No. 8 tandem in the nation – also won their doubles match versus Cal.

Coach Stella Sampras Webster said she hopes to see her players improve their movement on court, adding that the team has been practicing points and easing away from fitness training to prepare for its first match after two weeks off the court.

“They’re ready to compete,” she said. “The training block was hard, and it’s supposed to be hard.”

Wagle said she generally finds the Bruins’ contests against the Waves to be fun and energetic, adding that she is excited for Wednesday’s contest.

The senior has been one of UCLA’s most consistent players this season, dropping just one singles and one doubles match in dual-match play.

“I need to be on myself, to be more disciplined within my shots and always competing, always fighting, bringing good energy because energy is contagious,” Wagle said.