Tennis
While the women’s tennis team lost eight players from the 2010–11 season due to graduation and time constraints, and was considered to be in a rebuilding year by some observers, they gained a 4-13 record with a 3-7 record in Division III play, which was good enough to finish No. 27 in the nation, and make an appearance at the NCAA tournament again.
“On paper we were weaker, but in the end we exceeded expectations better than anyone imagined,” coach Erin Ness said.
The number one and two players, sophomore Alexandra Scotten and junior Laura Wade, respectively, qualified for the NCAA national championships. This season is the first time UCSC has been represented in both singles and doubles matches since 2005.
Ness said the team will be bringing in an incoming freshman class in fall and hopes to improve on this season’s unexpected success.
“If we can get to the NCAA tournament this year, imagine what we can do next year,” she said.
Behind rookie coach Bryce Parmelly, the men’s tennis team finished with a 9-9 record, with a 6-5 record in Division III play. The team entered the regional playoffs ranked No. 6 in the national ITA rankings, before losing to fifth-ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges in tournament play. The team did not have a ranking lower than 12th or higher than fifth place this season. Erich Koenig, Parker Larsen and Brian Pybas were awarded All-America honors.
Volleyball
An impressive semi-final appearance in the inaugural NCAA Division III tournament by the men’s volleyball team finished off their strong 17-7 season. The team ended the season in third place nationally, continuing their long run of success since 2004. The team’s coach of two years, Todd Hollenbeck, was awarded the Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC) Coach of the Year, while four players were awarded CVC All-Tournament honors: Sal La Cavera III, Paul Leon, Darren Tsai and Jake Dietrich.
Basketball
Missing the NCAA tournament by one game, the women’s basketball team finished at 11-13, their best record since 1994. The team is losing four seniors this year but will return with four starters and will bring in new talent from the freshman class. Coach Kent sees a bright future, especially with the return of freshman Sarah Mackey, who was named West Region Rookie of the Year. Kent looks toward possibly winning 20-plus games next season.
Men’s basketball finished with a 12-10 record, with a 4-5 record in Division III play. This year’s above .500 record makes the men’s basketball team the winningest team since their 2008–09 season.
Golf
Led by ninth-season coach Paulette Pera, the women’s golf team posted strong results all season long. Charlotte Gibson recorded the best low round versus par in UCSC history this season, beating her own record with a round of 74 and +2 above par at the Lady Bulldog Fall Classic. At the same tournament, the team put up its lowest 36-hole total in team history, scoring a 662, only +86 above par.
