LOS ANGELES -- UCLA cruised in its 2014 season opener on Tuesday afternoon at the Los Angeles Tennis Center, defeating visiting UC Santa Barbara by a score of 7-0.
Bruin junior Chanelle Van Nguyen played her first match at the No. 1 singles position on Tuesday, dropping just one game en route to a 6-0, 6-1 victory against April Scatliffe. Sophomore Kyle McPhillips was equally as impressive at court No. 3, winning 6-1, 6-0 against Jaimee Gilbertson. The Bruins would go on to win the remaining four singles matches in consecutive sets.
UCLA started the day with a pair of 6-1 victories at court Nos. 1 and 2 to claim the one point awarded for doubles play. Court No. 3, where UCLA was leading 4-3, was suspended once the point was clinched.
Tuesday marked the first match for both teams where the new dual-match format imposed by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association was used. There was no warm-up prior to singles or doubles. The three doubles matches were played to six, instead of eight. Also, a 10-point tiebreaker instead of a third set for singles was in effect had it reached that point.
