By Hailey Amato
Staff Writer
A new season, a new beginning, a new chance to rebuild the powerhouse that Pepperdine women’s tennis once was.
After their first loss of the West Coast Conference title in 14 years, and an uncharacteristic 35th national finish last season, the Waves are starting with a clean slate.
“This year we’ll take our championship back,” Head Coach Gualberto Escudero said.
A more experienced Pepperdine women’s tennis team took to the courts in their first matches of the year. They faced Cal Poly last Saturday, Gonzaga Monday and the University of California Santa Barbara Wednesday.
The Waves return five letter-winners this season. Junior Charlotte Vernaz was the WCC “Player of the Year” for 2002. Vernaz, senior Monika Horvath and sophomore Veronika Koksava all had spots on the All-WCC singles first team. Koksava and Vernaz earned All-WCC doubles first team selections and Koksava took “Co-Freshman of the Year.”
“The returners bring experience,” Escudero said. “Veronika has the ability to play as well as she desires or is willing to prepare for. That’s where it lies, in the preparation. She could make a big impact on this team.”
Two freshmen are already discovering their roles and fitting in nicely, Escudero said.
“We don’t have one standout, spectacular player,” Koksava said. “We have seven good players who play any position in the line-up.”
The Waves began conference play when they narrowly stole a win from Cal Poly.
“We played well for the first match of the season,” Braverman said. “Like our coach said, it was a good chance to get the cobwebs out of the closet. Cal Poly is the type of team who could pull an upset at any time, but we got by them.”
The singles players, winning four of their six matches, were the determining factor for the Waves, who lost all three doubles matches to the Mustangs.
“It was a waking-up match,” Escudero said. “Cal Poly beating us in all three doubles was a little bit of a stunner, but we did take the win. It’s true our team is stronger in singles than doubles. However, doing well in singles matches will give us the freedom to try different plays in doubles and become a more balanced team.”
The Waves continued their flawless record Monday, facing Gonzaga at home and recording a 7-0 win.
“I think we were used to the atmosphere after playing three days before,” Koksava said. “We were confident and that’s why our matches only lasted an hour. We took those matches as preparation for San Diego and used it as practice.”
Braverman defeated her opponent in the No. 1 singles spot with a 6-3, 6-0 win. Vernaz took the No. 2 singles game in 6-1, 6-2 games and in the No. 3 singles spot Koksova won her matches in 6-1, 6-3.
“Everyone played well,” Braverman said. “I think we just have more talent than them.”
The Waves won all six singles matches in straight sets and all three doubles matches as well.
Pep faced UCSB on Wednesday, defeating the Guachos 6-1. The Waves’ only loss was Horvath, playing in the No. 1 singles position.
“We thought it would be a little tougher match,” Escudero said. “Their No. 1 singles player was good, a senior with a lot of experience. It was indicative, their top two players were good, but it dropped off a lot after that.”
The match of the day was the No. 2 singles spot, where Braverman took her opponent to a super-tiebreaker. Braverman won in the third set, scoring 10 points first.
Pepperdine has a challenging lineup ahead, including the No. 1 ranked, two-time defending NCAA champion Stanford.
“We are expected to win, but we can’t take that for granted,” Braverman said. “We have to go out and play like we’re playing the No. 1 team.”
Spotlight on… Natalie Braverman
Singles/Doubles
Freshman Natalie Braverman was born and raised a California girl. She didn’t have to travel far to find her heart and her home on the tennis courts here at Pepperdine.
Originally from Newport Beach, Braverman started playing tennis when she was four years old.
In a family that enjoyed tennis recreationally, she discovered her talent at a young age.
“My sister started playing tennis when I was little,” Braverman said. “Of course her being my older sister I had to copy everything she did and so naturally I began playing.”
She began competing in tournaments at seven and hasn’t stopped since. She played in individual junior tournaments throughout California and across the country, and was a varsity letter winner at Newport Harbor High School.
Braverman, who wanted to stay close to home, was attracted to the strong tennis program at Pepperdine as well as the location.
“I love Southern California,” Braverman said. “I can’t imagine anywhere better to be than here in Malibu.”
She has made a quick adjustment to university life and her new college team.
“I like college tennis much more than the individual tennis I’ve been doing my whole life,” Braverman said. “In individual competitions you’re all by yourself out on the court – no team, no coaching. Now I know that I’ll always have six other girls cheering me on and two coaches there helping me out. The great camaraderie and the team environment is the aspect I love.”
Braverman is already making her mark as a Wave. She is currently playing as the No. 1 singles player for Pepperdine and led her team to a 7-0 win over Gonzaga on Monday, winning her matches 6-3, 6-0. She also won her doubles match with her partner, senior Monika Horvath.
“I love playing doubles,” Braverman said. “But I definitely consider myself a singles player.”
A singles player to look out for.
January 23, 2003