The UCLA women’s tennis team, ranked 17th nationally and holding a 2-1 record, is set to travel to Northern California for non-conference matches against No. 16 California and No. 11 Stanford this weekend. The Bruins will face California at the Hellman Tennis Complex in Berkeley on Friday at 1:30 p.m. PT, followed by a match against Stanford at the Arrillaga Tennis Center – Taube Pavilion on Saturday at 3 p.m. PT.
Both matches will be available for fans via live streaming and scoring through the respective host schools’ websites. Updates will also be posted on the UCLA women’s tennis X account.
Historically, UCLA leads its series with California 51-40, having last won 4-2 on February 2, 2025. Against Stanford, however, the Bruins trail in the all-time matchup, with Stanford leading 83-23; UCLA’s most recent win came in a close 4-3 contest on March 31, 2024.
In their previous outings during ITA Kickoff Weekend in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, UCLA defeated No. 24 UCF but fell to fifth-ranked LSU in the championship match. Olivia Center played a key role by clinching both singles and doubles points against UCF. Mayu Crossley and Bianca Fernandez also secured singles victories for the Bruins.
During the fall season, Ahmani Guichard led the team with six singles wins and five doubles victories. Freshman Mayu Crossley qualified for the NCAA Championship singles tournament after reaching the ITA West Sectional Championships semifinal round. Kate Fakih achieved two ranked singles wins and teamed with Guichard to claim a doubles consolation title at sectionals.
Currently, UCLA is ranked No. 17 as of January 28, while Kate Fakih holds an individual ranking of No. 75 in singles (as of November 25). Several players have received recognition this season: Guichard was named a Big Ten Women’s Tennis Player to Watch and voted Big Ten Player of the Week; Crossley earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.
Last season, despite being unseeded going into NCAA Championship play after winning nine out of their final ten matches, UCLA reached the tournament’s round of sixteen by defeating Vanderbilt in a close match. Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer was recognized as an All-Big Ten First Team member and ITA Southwest Region Player to Watch after taking over top singles duties. Olivia Center and Kate Fakih finished as runners-up in NCAA Championship doubles competition and were named All-Americans.
Returning players include Fakih and Lutkemeyer—each bringing over fifty combined singles and doubles wins from last year—and sophomore Olivia Center who partnered with Fakih for thirteen ranked doubles wins last season.
Three freshmen join this year’s roster: Kayla Chung from Stanton, California; Mayu Crossley from Tokyo; and Rona Rugara from Johannesburg. Chung brings junior championship experience from national tournaments alongside Alanis Hamilton; Crossley has competed in all junior Grand Slams; Rugara has collected nine ITF junior titles since 2023.
Former Bruin Ena Shibahara continues her professional career success—she reached a career-high WTA singles ranking of No.116 in 2025 after making her Grand Slam main draw debut at the US Open in both singles and doubles events.
Head coach Stella Sampras Webster marks her thirtieth season leading UCLA women’s tennis this year. She has accumulated a record of 544-202 (.729) since taking over her alma mater’s program and guided teams to two NCAA championships (2014, 2008) along with three conference titles during her tenure.
