A top seed puts a bullseye on any team’s back.
And that is where one has landed for the Bulldogs. For the Bruins, though, being the underdog with a bow eases some of the pressure.

This post was updated May 3 at 8:48 p.m.
The rally spanned eight shots and 14 seconds.
As an errant shot from her opponent flew out of bounds, Ahmani Guichard began to realize what she had just accomplished.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
Dickens’ line directly applied to the Bruins’ Big Ten tournament outing.
No. 4 seed UCLA women’s tennis (16-7, 9-4 Big Ten) defeated No.

A 3-1 deficit.
Temperatures reaching almost 90 degrees.
A four-hour match.
No big deal for Olivia Center, who was entering the third set in the deciding match at line five.

In the heart of the desert, the Bruins will face the heat of the moment.
Four months of preparation will culminate in the final set of battles.

This post was updated April 12 at 11:28 p.m.
Many flock to Los Angeles for the year-round warm climate.
For the Bruins, a predominantly home-grown team, venturing beyond warm California can prove to be a challenge and forces adaptability.

The “passing of the torch” is a distinct and intimate phenomenon in the sports world.
Sometimes it can be encapsulated by a glance.
Sometimes it can be realized by an affirmation.