Inclement weather continues to hamper the ability of tennis teams to play matches. Women's tennis attempts to play the first conference match as Cal Poly travels to UC Irvine. The UC Santa Barbara men face UC Riverside and UC Irvine on back-to-back days this weekend.
NOTEWORTHY
Rain Disrupts Big West Teams Once Again
Continued rainy weather throughout California is shifting schedules for Big West tennis teams. Four non-conference women’s tennis matches were either postponed or cancelled on Saturday. The UC Irvine men’s tennis showdown against No. 54 San Diego State was postponed on Friday with the two teams tied at 3-3. The match was resumed on Tuesday with UCI winning the final point at No. 4 singles.
Rain also tripped up the start of women’s tennis conference play - not once, but twice. On Feb. 5, the Cal State Fullerton at Long Beach State matchup was postponed due to wet weather and was rescheduled for Thursday, March 11. The first Big West women’s match then shifted to the Feb. 9 battle between Cal State Northridge and Cal State Fullerton. A storm front dashed those plans as well and the two teams now hope to play on Wednesday, Feb. 17.
Barring any additional change of plans by Mother Nature, the initial Big West women’s match is scheduled for Saturday between two teams expected to contend for the conference title. Cal Poly, which played for the first time in three weeks when it toppled San Francisco on Sunday, travels to UC Irvine. The Anteaters are 1-2 overall after facing three consecutive ranked foes.
Cal Poly Lone Remaining Undefeated Team
The Cal Poly women are the only remaining unbeaten Big West team on either the men’s or women’s side. The 2-0 Mustangs have captured victories against Cal State Bakersfield and San Francisco. They have had matches against Pepperdine, UCLA and Santa Clara postponed, but are slated to play five road games in the next nine days. As much as Cal Poly is attempting to shake off the rust, the Cal State Northridge women are the only Big West school yet to play a match. The Matadors have had two matches postponed and hope to complete this weekend’s action against Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State Stanislaus.
Upcoming Ranked Opponents
A total of five matches against teams ranked in the top 75 of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association are on tap this week. The Cal Poly men play two of those teams, travelling to Tucson, Ariz. to face No. 68 New Mexico State and host No. 23 Arizona. On the women’s front, UC Riverside competes at No. 41 UNLV, while UC Davis takes on No. 59 Sacramento State in a Causeway Cup battle. Long Beach State plays its home opener agaisnt No. 48 San Diego State. The 49ers have been inactive for nearly two weeks after winning a pair of matches on an Eastern road swing.
ITA Poll Features Three Ranked Big West Teams
The Feb. 4 ITA poll includes three Big West schools with No. 75 rankings. Long Beach State and UC Irvine are ranked No. 52 and 53, respectively, on the women’s side. The Pacific men are ranked No. 75. Updated singles and doubles rankings are scheduled to be released on Feb. 18.
Indian Wells To Host Big West Tennis Championships
For the seventh straight year, Indian Wells Tennis Garden is hosting the Big West Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championship. One of the most prestigious facilities in the United States, Indian Wells will host the six men’s and nine women’s teams from April 29-May 2. The Long Beach State women and UC Santa Barbara men took home the 2009 crowns. The 49ers have won all six previous years the championship has been in Indian Wells, while the Gauchos have captured four straight titles on the men’s side.