UCLA
California
Bruins Edged By Top-Ranked Cal
February 21, 2016 | Women's Tennis
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The No. 22 UCLA women's tennis team fell to top-ranked Cal on Saturday afternoon, but not without a fight. The Bruins jumped out to an early lead with the doubles point and took the match down to the wire in singles play.
In doubles, Klara Fabikova and Olivia Hauger blanked Terri Fleming and Kelly Shaffer on court 2. Alaina Miller and Kristin Wiley quickly responded for the Bruins with a 6-2 win over Lynn Chi and Stephane Lin on court 3. The battle for the doubles point ensued on court 1 with Catherine Harrison and Kyle McPhillips leading the second-ranked pair in the nation, 4-3. After McPhillips held to extend the lead to 5-3, the Bruin duo broke Cal's serve to take the match and clinch the point for UCLA.
It was a race to put points on the board in singles play. The Bears quickly registered wins on courts 6 and 4 to take a 2-1 lead. Miller then fell on court 3. After dropping the first set 6-1, the Bruin newcomer rallied in the second to even the score at 5-5. Despite Miller's late surge, Cal's Chi held on for the win, giving the Bears a 3-1 advantage.
Fleming put the Bruins back in the game when she notched a straight-set win over No. 102 Hauger on court 5. Fleming took the first set with ease, but Hauger battled back in the second to tie the score at 5. The Bruin held on for the win and put UCLA within striking distance.
With Cal leading 3-2, the fate of the match was in the hands of Harrison on court 1 and McPhillips on court 2. Both Bruins took their respective first sets but fell in the second. Cal's Maegan Manasse and Fabikova jumped out to early leads in the third on courts 1 and 2, respectively. Unfortunately, McPhillips was unable to overcome to deficit and lost 6-2 in the third set. With the win, Cal clinched the match 4-2.
Next up, UCLA hosts crosstown rival USC in the Bruins' first match of conference play. The showdown takes place on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 1:30 p.m. at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.
#1 California 5, #22 UCLA 2
Feb 20, 2016 at Los Angeles, CA (Los Angeles Tennis Center)
| Doubles competition |
| 1. Harrison/McPhillips (UCLA) def. #2 Manasse/Starr (CAL) 6-3 |
| 2. Fabikova/Hauger (CAL) def. Fleming/Shaffer (UCLA) 6-0 |
| 3. Miller/Wiley (UCLA) def. Chi/Lin (CAL) 6-2 |
| Singles competition |
| 1. #13 Maegan Manasse (CAL) def. #18 Catherine Harrison (UCLA) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 |
| 2. #5 Klara Fabikova (CAL) def. Kyle McPhillips (UCLA) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 |
| 3. Lynn Chi (CAL) def. Alaina Miller (UCLA) 6-1, 7-5 |
| 4. #121 Denise Starr (CAL) def. Kristin Wiley (UCLA) 6-1, 6-0 |
| 5. Terri Fleming (UCLA) def. #102 Olivia Hauger (CAL) 6-1, 7-5 |
| 6. Karla Popovic (CAL) def. Laura Luca (UCLA) 6-0, 6-0 |
| Match Notes |
| California 8-0; National ranking #1 |
| UCLA 5-3; National ranking #22 |
| Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (6,4,3,5,2,1) |
