Bolton, Forbes, Hart Officially Named All-Americans
TEMPE, Ariz. – Elysia Bolton, Abbey Forbes and Jada Hart of the UCLA women's tennis team were officially named 2021 ITA All-Americans, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced Monday.
All-American status is bestowed upon singles players who earn a top-16 seed in the NCAA singles tournament, advance to the tournament's round of 16 or finish in the top 20 of the final Oracle ITA singles rankings. The same award is given to doubles teams that earn a top-eight seed in the NCAA doubles tournament, reach the tournament's quarterfinal round or finish in the top 10 of the final Oracle ITA doubles rankings.
Forbes achieved All-American status for her singles play. Bolton and Hart made the cut for their showing as a doubles tandem.
Forbes fulfilled all three criteria in reaching All-American standing for the second time in as many years. She ended the season at a career-best No. 4 in the singles rankings after registering 24 wins against just three losses. Forbes went 18-3 versus nationally-ranked singles opponents, including a 3-1 mark in the NCAA singles draw, which she entered as the No. 7 seed. She went 6-1 when tasked with taking down a top-20 opponent.
Forbes was previously named an All-American for her singles prowess as a freshman at the conclusion of the shortened 2020 campaign.
Bolton and Hart completed just nine matches after starting 2021 as the top-ranked duo in the nation. They made the most of their time in the NCAA doubles tournament, though, advancing to the quarterfinal round with wins over a pair of nationally-ranked counterparts. Among those victories was a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over the nation's then-No. 1 team of Kentucky's Fiona Arrese and Akvilė Paražinskaitė. For the year, Bolton and Hart went 6-3. They prevailed in four of six matches with ranked pairs.
Bolton made the doubles list for the second year in a row. She was also honored for her singles play in 2020. That represented back-to-back appearances for Bolton's singles performance, as she was also recognized in 2019.
Hart became just the ninth Bruin to be named an All-American at the end of four seasons, joining Kathy O'Brien (1979-1982), Stella Sampras Webster (1988-1991), Mamie Ceniza (1989-1992), Keri Phebus (1993-96), Sara Walker (2000-03), Riza Zalameda (2005-08), Robin Anderson (2012-15) and Kyle McPhillips (2013-16). Hart made it two times for singles (2019, 2020) and three times for doubles (2018, 2020, 2021).