The UC Santa Barbara men and Long Beach State women seem to be in good position to defend their 2007 titles as both squads enter the 2008 Big West Tennis Championships as No. 1 seeds.  The four-day tournament begins on Thursday at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif.
   
The Gauchos attempt to notch their third straight men's title while the 49ers are bidding for their fifth straight on the women's side.  UCSB has been crowned champion in four of the last six years.  The 49ers have captured all five of their championships over the same six-year period.
   
Action gets underway at Indian Wells with one women's match on Thursday between No. 8 seed UC Riverside and No. 9 seed Cal State Fullerton.  The winner advances to Friday's quarterfinals against the top-seeded 49ers.
   
Other women's quarterfinal action on Friday features No. 2 UC Irvine versus No. 7 Pacific at 9:00 a.m.  The No. 3 Cal State Northridge versus No. 6 UC Davis, and No. 4 Cal Poly against No. 5 UC Santa Barbara matches begin at 3:00 p.m.
   
In men's competition, the six-team tournament begins on Friday with two quarterfinal matches.  No. 3 Pacific takes on No. 6 UC Riverside at 9:00 a.m., while No. 4 Cal Poly and No. 5 UC Davis clash at 3:00 p.m.  The top-seeded Gauchos and No. 2 seed UC Irvine receive quarterfinal byes, and meet the winners of the quarterfinal matches on Saturday.
   
First serve for both men's and women's championship matches is at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday.
   
Admission and parking is free to the event.  This is the fifth straight year that the Big West and Indian Wells Tennis Garden have partnered to host the championship.