Many flock to Los Angeles for the year-round warm climate.

For the Bruins, a predominantly home-grown team, venturing beyond the warm California can prove to be a challenge and forces adaptability.

No. 16 UCLA (13-6, 7-4 Big Ten) women’s tennis rose to the task, shutting out Illinois (9-11, 5-5) 4-0 on Friday in the chilly weather at Atkins Tennis Center. Despite a strong start in doubles, singles proved to be challenging, yet the Bruins made a comeback to secure the win over Illinois.

The match opened with UCLA clinching the doubles point on court one as No. 35 sophomores Olivia Center and Kate Fakih defeated Tess Bucher and Alice Xu with a 6-2 victory. The set victory was preceded by freshman Kayla Chung and junior Ahmani Guichard’s 6-0 sweep of Lizzie Isyanov and Cara Mester, which marked the tandem’s third win since being paired together on March 21.

Following the doubles win, the Bruins faced tight matches on the singles courts as the Fighting Illini attempted redemption from the early deficit.

Coach Stella Sampras Webster felt the Bruins dominated in doubles, but singles proved to be the most competitive component of the match.

“Usually you come out and you feel really good after doubles,” Sampras Webster said. “You think we should just cruise through the singles. But against some teams you do, and some teams you don’t. (Illinois) definitely made us work in the singles.”

While the Bruins’ final outcome was a victory, the 4-0 score was deceiving as Illinois forced three sets on multiple singles courts.

Sampras Webster said she was proud of the Bruins’ perseverance throughout singles.

“I’m glad that they were able to just focus and compete hard in those conditions and come out with the ‘W,’ but it was very competitive in the singles,” Sampras Webster said. “Illinois really fought hard and has some really talented players on that team, so they definitely pushed us.”

Fakih and freshman No. 43 Mayu Crossley earned UCLA its first two individual wins. Crossley, one of the nation’s top freshmen, has made a splash in her first year as a Bruin, establishing a 14-3 singles record across the 2026 campaign as a consistent competitor on the frontcourts.

She has gained recognition over the past few months as a five-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week and one-time Big Ten Player of the Week. Crossley smoothly defeated opponent Kimiko Cooper on court two with 6-1 and 6-2 set wins.

Fakih quickly read Ariel Madatali’s strategies on court three and bested her, going 6-4 and 6-1 for straight set wins.

“I knew the girl that I was playing was going to be a tough match,” Fakih said. “She’s a little tricky, so I stayed tough and focused on what I needed to do. I was trying to go forward, go through the court, play to my strengths, use my forehand and dictate.”

Over on court one, senior No. 17 Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer held her own as she lost the first set to No. 47 McKenna Schaefbauer 6-4. She then made a comeback with 6-2, 6-4 sets over Schaefbauer and clinched the match for the Bruins.

Beyond battling Illinois, UCLA was combating the 50-degree temperatures that contrasted with LA’s warm weather.

“The conditions today were tough with the wind and the cold, so I’m just happy we were able to get those full points,” Lutkemeyer said. “Wind in general is just tough in tennis because it is a neutralizer. It definitely makes the matches closer, in my opinion. It’s just not as clean, so you got to compete.”

Sampras Webster said she was glad that UCLA was able to still focus and play hard despite the weather and tough competition during singles.

Due to a tight travel schedule featuring only one full day of rest, the Bruins prioritized recovery before facing Northwestern on Sunday.

“They worked really hard out there, and we want to ensure that their bodies recover from the match, so we have our legs and our minds ready for another battle,” Sampras Webster said. “Every team is tough, and I know Northwestern is going to be ready for us at home. We’re going to have to earn and work and fight for every point that we get from them.”