Second-ranked UCLA (3-0) heads across town this week to participate in the first Pac-12/SEC Challenge this Saturday and Sunday at Southern California’s Marks Tennis Stadium.
This unique two-day event showcases three of the top four teams in the nation. The Bruins will square off against No. 11 Florida on Saturday and that match will be followed by No. 3 Georgia and No. 4 Southern California. The four teams return to action the following day, with UCLA taking on Georgia and USC facing Florida.
UCLA takes a 12-1 all-time record against Florida and a 3-12 all-time record against Georgia into this weekend’s action. UCLA last faced Florida in a consolation match at the 2011 USTA/ITA National Team Indoors in Seattle, winning 4-3. The Bruins and Bulldogs last squared off in 2013 at the National Team Indoors in Seattle (4-1 UCLA win).
UCLA senior Clay Thompson earned the No. 1 ranking in the nation following a fall season in which he posted an 18-1 record.
Lob shots
Tennessee's Markus Kerner collected SEC Freshman of the Week honors for the first time in his career after an undefeated performance in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend ... The Volunteers play a pair of ranked opponents, No. 50 Oklahoma State and No. 30 Tulsa ... Texas A&M plays a pair of in-state foes in Texas Tech and Rice ... Oklahoma plays its last home match for 19 days on Sunday ... Baylor is in the midst of a six-game homestand.
