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#4 UCLA Men's Tennis (18-2, 6-0)
Opponent: #9 Southern California (15-4, 5-1)
When: Doubles - 12:30 PM PDT, Singles - 1:30 PM PDT, Sunday, April 17, 2016
Where: Buntmann Family Tennis Center, Los Angeles, CA
Audio: None
Video: Pac-12 Networks
Live Stats: None
#23 UCLA Women's Tennis (14-5, 6-2)
Opponent: #21 Southern California (11-4, 6-0)
When: Doubles - 12:30 PM PDT, Singles - 3:30 PM PDT, Sunday, April 17, 2016
Where: Buntmann Family Tennis Center, Los Angeles, CA
Audio: None
Video: Pac-12 Networks
Live Stats: None
It just doesn't get any better or bigger! pic.twitter.com/HETHBZrMYj
— UCLA Women's Tennis (@uclawtennis) April 13, 2016
The Bruins head across town today for a rare men's and women's tennis doubleheader against the Trojans. The dual match will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks, with doubles play in both matches beginning at 12:30 PM PDT. Singles in men's tennis will follow the conclusion of the doubles matches (at approximately 1:30 PM PDT), and the women's singles matches will start when the men's tennis is finished.
UCLA Men's Tennis (18-2, 6-0) enters today's match as the fourth-ranked team in the nation and in sole possession of first place in the Pac-12 with a perfect 6-0 record. That puts the Bruins one game ahead of second place USC (15-4, 5-1) with just today's match left before the Pac-12 Tournament begins on Wednesday. That means that the Bruins can clinch the regular season title with a victory over the ninth-ranked Trojans this afternoon.
Junior Mackenzie McDonald anchors our men's tennis team. He's number 8 in the latest ITA men's national collegiate singles rankings. He's joined in the ITA rankings by sophomore Marin Redlicki (#45), junior Gage Brymer (#58), and senior Karue Sell (#86). McDonald and Redlicki pair up to form the fourth-ranked men's doubles team.
The Trojans counter with a squad that includes five nationally-ranked players. Max de Vroome at #19 heads the list, and he will undoubtedly be McDonald's opponent on court 1. The pivotal duals may occur on courts 2 and 3, though, where Redlicki will likely face #43 Nick Crystal and Brymer will battle #55 Logan Smith.
Here's a deeper look at two historic tennis programs and their epic rivalry.... Next episode in less than 24 hours pic.twitter.com/mTyPAFLnwB
— UCLA Men's Tennis (@uclatennis) April 16, 2016
Despite just two losses in conference play, UCLA Women's Tennis (14-5, 6-2) finds itself buried in the middle of the Pac-12 standings. The Bruins are in fifth place behind USC (6-0), Stanford (8-1), Cal (7-1) and Arizona State (7-2). Although UCLA can't win the Pac-12 title, a win today will ensure that the Trojans aren't crowned conference champs. Of course the situation would be much different if the Bruins hadn't lost to Arizona State last week, but considering the large number of "new" players on the court for UCLA, it's not surprising that the team has struggled for consistency this season.
Senior Catherine Harrison, the nation's 17th-ranked collegiate singles player, is the only Bruin currently ranked in the top-125 by the ITA. She partners with senior Kyle McPhillips to form the 5th-ranked doubles team.
Aside from Harrison and Phillips, the players likely to contribute today don't have much experience. Sophomores Terri Fleming and Kristin Wiley saw some action last season, but freshman Alaina Miller, senior Laura Luca, and sophomore Maia Magill are effectively playing their first season of tennis at UCLA.
In contrast, Southern Cal has five players ranked nationally in singles and two doubles teams ranked in the top-100. The Trojans are led by #24 Giuliana Olmos; she will provide a stiff challenge for Catherine Harrison on court 1 today.
Although there may be less at stake for our women's team today, the Bruins are anxious to improve their position as they head into postseason play on Wednesday, and of course, would love to deliver Southern Cal's first conference loss.
Go BRUINS! Beat SC!
FYI, #UCLA Powell Library exhibit honoring tennis great Arthur Ashe opens Friday! https://t.co/5wyAfJmb6X #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/uGq6sG1WU3
— UCLA Men's Tennis (@uclatennis) April 13, 2016