Rivalries bring intensity.

But once the matchups are in the rearview, teams look to carry that energy forward.

No. 24 UCLA men’s tennis (9-3, 3-0 Big Ten) will have the chance to do just that as it prepares to face Wisconsin (11-3, 2-2) on Friday and Nebraska (9-6, 1-3) on Sunday at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.

The Bruins enter the pair of conference matchups following a redemption win against the crosstown rival Trojans. After losing to USC in a nonconference clash Feb. 21, UCLA flipped the script and secured a 4-1 victory Friday.

[Related: Bruin men’s tennis bests rival Trojans 4-1 in rematch, hours-long affair]

“We came to this match really hungry for the win,” said junior Andy Nguyen after the rivalry win. “We really wanted revenge, and we should approach all teams like that. It’s easier said than done, but if we’re able to compete like how we did today, we’ll be okay.”

Nguyen delivered the first singles win of the afternoon, marking his second consecutive and fifth singles win this campaign.

But the season has not gone entirely according to plan for the junior.

Coach Billy Martin sidelined Nguyen for a pair of contests after he dropped four singles matches. Nguyen said he used the stint as an opportunity to grow.

“A lot of people, when they get sat, can take it personal,” Nguyen said. “But I tried to take it in the most optimistic manner possible and gather my thoughts and really focus on what I’ve been doing wrong and such, and that time really helped me. So coming to these next few matches, I’ll try to have a little different approach, be thankful that I’m even playing and to be on court.”

The Bruins are undefeated against both upcoming conference foes in recent memory, going 3-0 against the Badgers since 2008 and winning their first-ever dual match against the Cornhuskers last season.

But Martin said it was important for his squad not to become complacent.

The Badgers rode a nine-match winning streak before it was snapped by the Spartans on March 8. Wisconsin also holds a winning record, although it has yet to secure a ranked win, most recently falling to No. 10 Illinois on March 15.

Nebraska owns a losing conference record, opening Big Ten play with a trio of losses to Michigan State, Michigan and Illinois. However, the squad is coming off its first conference win against Northwestern.

For UCLA, navigating the weekend slate will require steady leadership, something junior Spencer Johnson has grown comfortable with.

Johnson has commanded court one this season, tallying eight singles victories and clinching his 100th career win last week, including the match-clinching point against USC.

And Johnson said he is looking to carry lessons from that performance into the weekend slate.

“I want to take the energy, and I want to be able to find my serve because that’s my biggest weapon, and when it’s working, the rest of my game feels better,” Johnson said.

That energy has translated beyond the individual level for UCLA.

The Bruins are undefeated in conference play, riding a four-match win streak and reentering the top 25 after their win over the Trojans.

But the Westwood squad must balance both academic and athletic demands this week, as the pair of home matchups comes directly after UCLA’s finals week.

“Some guys got finals this week. It’s not easy,” Martin said. “We’ve got those hurdles, but I believe if we could stay really focused and be the team that we can be and have good chemistry among us, this team can go a long way.”