Serves and volleys are back as Big West men's and women's tennis teams look forward to their 2009 spring seasons.  Defending Big West women's champion Long Beach State and men's champion UC Santa Barbara enter the season as the conference's highest ranked teams and are in action this week.
   
Long Beach State, which has won five straight Big West tournament championships, is ranked No. 48 in the nation in the first Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll of 2009.  The 49ers travel to No. 10 USC in their season opener Friday.  Long Beach State is led by three-time Big West Player of the Year Hannah Grady, who enters the season with a No. 68 singles ranking by the ITA.  She is one of two ranked Big West players, joined by Cal Poly's Maria Malec at No. 120.
   
A majority of women’s teams begin or continue their seasons on the road this week.  UC Davis sprinted out to a 2-0 record with wins at Portland State and Portland last week.  The Aggies face much tougher tests this week with road matches against Pac-10 opponents Arizona and Arizona State.  Arizona State is ranked No. 21 in the country.  
   
Pacific travels to Las Vegas for a tournament which includes Weber State, New Mexico State and the host Lady Rebels.  Cal State Fullerton scheduled a road doubleheader on Saturday versus San Diego and San Diego State.  UC Riverside battles the Aztecs in its season opener just a few hours earlier prior to CSF's match with them.  UC Santa Barbara is the lone Big West school to host a match, welcoming Cal State Bakersfield.
   
In addition to Long Beach State, two other Big West schools are ranked as UC Irvine is No. 64 and Cal Poly No. 75.    
   
UC Santa Barbara, a winner of three consecutive Big West Tournament titles, begins the 2009 campaign as the No. 62 ranked team in the nation.  The Gauchos host a pair of ranked opponents in No. 70 Brigham Young on Friday and No. 37 Boise State on Saturday.
   
UC Irvine, which is ranked right behind UCSB at No. 63, hosts Brigham Young on Friday.  UC Davis plays Santa Clara and UC Davis, while UC Riverside hosts Sacramento State.
   
Cal Poly's first two opponents are formidable challenges as the Mustangs travel to face No. 14 Pepperdine Saturday and No. 41 Fresno State Sunday.