LOS ANGELES — UC San Diego played their final non-conference matches of the season on Tuesday, taking on 53^rd-ranked UCLA in a doubleheader at the Los Angeles Tennis Center. The Bruins won both matches, 4-0.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Match 1: #53 UCLA 4, UC San Diego 0
Final Match 2: #53 UCLA 4, UC San Diego 0
Records: UC San Diego 4-21 (1-4 Big West); #53 UCLA 12-11 (2-4 Pac-12)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first match of the day could have started better for the Tritons. They hung with UCLA in the opening games of doubles play, but the Bruins pulled away, clinching the point with wins at Nos. 1 and 3. Down a point, UC San Diego was not able to settle in during singles play, and the hosts wrapped up the match with wins at Nos. 1, 4, and 5. Sophomore Tristan Taylor put in a strong fight at No. 6, sending his first set to a tiebreaker.
 
The afternoon's match was played in reverse order, starting with singles rather than doubles. The inverted layout did not favor the Tritons, who have typically been stronger in doubles than singles this season, as the Bruins clinched their second victory of the day before all six singles matchups could play out, winning at Nos. 1, 2, 4, and 5. Junior William Lan at No. 3 and freshman Joseph Teh at No. 6 were both in second-set ties, attempting to come back from first set defeats, when the match ended.

RESULTS | Match #1
For the box score from the first match of the day, click here.
 
RESULTS | Match #2
For the box score from the second match of the day, click here.
 
QUOTABLE
"In the first match, the guys started overly excited in doubles and got themselves away from what they do well," Head Coach Timmer Willing said. "They never really settled in and seemed a little overwhelmed in the atmosphere and stadium."
 
"The first sets on most courts were competitive (in the second match). Our guys came out more ready to compete and give themselves a chance to be in the match."
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• Zach Ermert and Sanjith Devineni both played at their highest singles positions of the season in the afternoon match, at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively
• Eric Silberman returned to the Tritons' doubles lineup after missing only his fourth match all season against Cal Poly. Silberman partnered Joseph Teh, just the second time he partnered someone other than Zach Ermert this year 
• Tuesday's second match is the only time the Tritons have played a match in reverse order (singles first) all season

UP NEXT
The Tritons play their final match of the 2022 season on Saturday, paying a visit to UC Davis. First serve against the Aggies is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Davis.
 
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.