UCLA
Stanford
UCLA Edged by Stanford in Pac-12 Opener
March 09, 2018 | Women's Tennis
STANFORD, Calif. โ The No. 13 UCLA women's tennis team dropped its Pac-12 opener Friday at No. 46 Stanford, 4-3, at the Taube Family Tennis Center. The Cardinal was able to capture wins on the top three courts, including decisive three-setters on Courts 1 and 3.
The Bruin doubles team of Alaina Miller and Ena Shibahara raced out to a 5-0 lead over Emma Higichi and Janice Shin on Court 3 to set the tone early. The Cardinal pair responded by taking the next three games, though, taking momentum back. In the end, Miller-Shibahara was able to secure the victory and break the ice in doubles play. Playing together for the first time, Abi Altick-Ayan Broomfield challenged Caroline Lampl and Kimberly Yee, but was unable to overcome the Cardinal pair, falling by a 6-3 score.
That left it up to each team's top tandem, with No. 22 Terri Fleming-Jada Hart facing off with host No. 3 Emily Arbuthnott-Michaela Gordon. Fleming-Hart received a stiff challenge from one of the nation's best teams, but stood up to it to the tune of a 6-4 victory that clinched the doubles point and gave UCLA an early advantage.
No. 118 Miller kept the momentum rolling for the Bruins into singles play, as the junior defeated Kimberly Yee in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, on Court 6. The next two straight-setters would be won by the Cardinal, though, quickly tying the match. Higuchi secured the Court 5 win over Broomfield, 6-2, 6-4, while Lampl defeated No. 41 Hart by the same score.
No. 46 Altick continued her dual-match success, improving her team-best mark to 7-1 by dispatching Shin of the Cardinal on Court 4, 6-1, 6-3. That left it up to Courts 1 and 3, each of which had two ranked opponents squaring off in a three-set battle.
Shibahara and Fleming each picked up a convincing first-set win, but their Cardinal opponents would not go quietly. No. 17 Gordon bounced back on the top court, taking the second frame from No. 8 Shibahara. No. 33 Arbuthnott would do the same versus No. 104 Fleming, giving the Cardinal the chance it needed. Gordon ensured a winner-take-all showdown, topping Shibahara, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, to put the focus on Court 3. There, Arbuthnott took charge down the stretch, capturing her match and the fourth point with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 win.
UCLA will have a chance to even its conference mark Saturday when it heads to the Hellman Tennis Complex to take on California. Play will begin at noon. The Bruins previously defeated the Golden Bears in a nonconference match, 5-2, at Los Angeles Tennis Center (Feb. 24).
Tennis Match Results
UCLA vs Stanford
March 9, 2018 at Stanford, CA
(Taube Family Tennis Center)
#46 Stanford 4, #13 UCLA 3
Singles competition
1. #17 Michaela Gordon (STAN) def. #8 Ena Shibahara (UCLA) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
2. Caroline Lampl (STAN) def. #41 Jada Hart (UCLA) 6-2, 6-4
3. #33 Emily Arbuthnott (STAN) def. #104 Terri Fleming (UCLA) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
4. #46 Abi Altick (UCLA) def. Janice Shin (STAN) 6-1, 6-3
5. Emma Higuchi (STAN) def. Ayan Broomfield (UCLA) 6-2, 6-4
6. #118 Alaina Miller (UCLA) def. Kimberly Yee (STAN) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. #22 Terri Fleming/Jada Hart (UCLA) def. #3 Emily Arbuthnott/Michaela Gordon (STAN) 6-4
2. Caroline Lampl/Kimberly Yee (STAN) def. Abi Altick/Ayan Broomfield (UCLA) 6-3
3. Alaina Miller/Ena Shibahara (UCLA) def. Emma Higuchi/Janice Shin (STAN) 6-3
Match Notes:
UCLA 8-3, 0-1; National ranking #13
Stanford 5-3, 1-0; National ranking #46
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,5,2,4,1,3)
Players Mentioned
