USTA Section: Southern California

 

Roster:

 

Bryn Bacharach - Freshman

Greg Bogie - Freshman

Neda Ghassemi - Sophomore

Ahmed Hammady - Freshman

Tricia Mar – Sophomore

Tanner Schmutte - Freshman

Khoa Truong -  Senior

Victoria Wing - Sophomore

 

Teams Defeated: USC

 

USTA.com: When did you discover that you had the talent to win as a team?

 

We discovered that we had the talent when we won Nationals last year. We couldn’t believe it!

 

USTA.com: How does your team unwind after a day of matches?

 

Food!

 

USTA.com: When you qualified, how did you celebrate?

 

We took all the cookies at Regionals. 

 

USTA.com: Tell us a bit about how your school is unique.

 

We are defending Tennis on Campus National Champions! Also, every time we go to a new school to play tennis, we always eat at Chipotle or Panera Bread. Always.

 

USTA.com: If you were to list THREE specific things that need to happen in order to win a National Championship, they would be:

 

1) Our team has to step up the intensity and focus on the court.

 

2) Cheering and supporting our teammates

 

3) Push ourselves to the limit and giving our absolute best even when we’re down.

 

USTA.com: How do you exhibit school spirit?

 

The UCLA 8-Clap! Fight fight fight!!!

 

USTA.com: Share with us a funny story about your team or team member(s).

 

Our team was leaving Stanford from California Cup and we stopped to get some food, but one of our teammates closed the door even though the key was still inside the van and our whole team got locked out. We then had to wait for the AAA person to save us.

 

USTA.com: Share with us an uplifting story about your team or team member(s).

 

It was our first match of the season and we were down by 7 games. Under pressure, the UCLA mixed doubles went in - shaking, trembling, barely able to hold their racquets steady. Each point kept the whole team on the edge of their seats, hoping that the opponents would miss, or our team would force the error. Amazingly, our mixed doubles team won game after game. Soon, they only had to win two more games before the other team had to win one.

 

All of a sudden, disaster struck: Our mixed doubles men’s player stumbled to the ground, clasping his hamstring in pain. He had to continue playing because all substitutions were already made. Every chance she got, our girl poached every ball to win the point and level the match. Our team only had to win one more game to clench the match. Our girl went up to serve, serving ace after ace. With only one more point to go, our whole UCLA club tennis team rose to their feet in anticipation. The serve went straight into the body, causing the opponent to lob to our male player at the net. Limping steadily towards the ball, our guy watched the ball like a hawk and struck a ferocious overhead down the middle. Both opponents lunged for the ball, but it was too good — neither of them could get to it. Roars of glee and excitement echoed throughout the stadiums; UCLA rushed the courts to congratulate the mixed doubles team in their victory. It was an amazing day for the Bruins.