UCLA Women Stun Florida to Make Finals

With Kimberly Po recording upset wins in singles and doubles, fourth-seeded UCLA defeated No. 1 Florida, 6-3, in the semifinals of the NCAA Women’s Tennis Championships at Stanford, handing the Gators their first loss after 31 victories this season.

The Bruins (23-4) face No. 2 Stanford in today’s finals. The Cardinal (25-1) topped third-seeded Georgia, 5-1, in the other semifinal.

Stanford has won 90 of its last 91 dual matches, five consecutive national championships and seven of the nine since the NCAA assumed jurisdiction over women’s sports.

Po, the nation’s 17th-ranked player, beat third-ranked Nicole Arendt, 6-4, 6-3, and then teammed with Stella Sampras for a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Arendt and Jillian Alexander, the top-ranked doubles team.

“I played smart for once, finally,” Po said of her singles performance. “It was tough with the wind and her left spin, but I got used to it and kept up my game.”

UCLA also received singles victories from Kirsten Dreyer, Mamie Ceniza and Cammie Foley. The Bruins could have clinched the match without having to play doubles, but Stella Sampras, the older sister of U.S. Open champion Pete Sampras, could not hold a 5-1 third-set lead against Holly Lloyd, falling, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3).

The Bruins have lost twice to the Cardinal this year, 6-3 April 6 at Stanford and 7-2 at UCLA two weeks later.

“Both those times it wasn’t like we got blown away,” Po said. “We know we can do it. It’s not like we’re saying we have to play outstanding and they have to play horribly.”