It's a busy week of conference tennis action on both the men's and women's side with the outcomes having potential ramifications in the title races. Long Beach State's winning streak in Big West regular season women's matches is at 21 straight. UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly host critical men's matches against UC Davis and Pacific.
NOTEWORTHY
Long Beach State Takes Early Lead In Women’s Standings
Long Beach State won its 21st straight regular season match against a Big West opponent in dramatic fashion as the 49ers toppled No. 51 UC Irvine, 4-3, on Saturday. Sophomore Anais Dallara clinched the game-winning point as she fought back from a one set deficit to win 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) against UCI's Stephanie Hammel in the No. 1 singles position. Dallara led Hammel 5-2 in the third set and had match point, but her shot sailed wide. Hammel eventually took a 6-5 lead, but Dallara persevered again, forcing a tiebreaker and winning the match.
The 49ers, which have not lost a conference match since 2007, are now 2-0 in Big West play and in their customary spot at the top of the standings. LBSU faces another formidable challenge in visiting Pacific on Saturday. Prior to the match, Long Beach State will dedicate court one in the honor of four-time Big West Player of the Year Hannah Grady, who is now an assistant coach with the 49er women’s program.
Long Beach State is ranked a season-high No. 43 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll. Pacific has one of three ranked singles players in the Big West - No. 122 Jenifer Widjaja.
Conference play heats up with additional matches such as UC Davis traveling to UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly. Pacific also travels to UC Riverside. Cal Poly looks to stay on the trail of Long Beach State. The Mustangs are 2-1 in league play, with their only blemish a 4-3 defeat to UC Irvine. The Anteaters are No. 56 in the current ITA poll.
Rematch Of Last Year’s Men’s Tournament Semifinal Highlights Men’s Ledger
Four men's conference matches are featured on this week’s schedule, including a rematch of a 2009 Big West Tournament semifinal between UC Santa Barbara and Pacific. The Gauchos prevailed 4-3 after trailing 3-1 in the match, winning the next three points in three set contests. Both teams want to avoid losing their second conference match as UCSB is 1-1 in league play and Pacific 0-1. The Gauchos have played a tough non-conference slate that includes four ranked opponents. Pacific, which has had schedule complications due to rain, is 0-3 on the season but has only played once since Jan. 30. However, the Tigers have a busy week with three matches, facing San Diego and Cal Poly prior to the UCSB contest.
Cal Poly looks to scratch out its first win of the season after an 0-6 start. The record is deceiving for the Mustangs because of several close losses on the singles ladder in every match. They lost 4-3 to two Pac-10 schools in No. 23 Arizona and Oregon. Against the Ducks, Cal Poly led 3-2 and lost matches at No. 2 and No. 4 singles in three sets to fall 4-3. The Mustangs hope home cooking energizes them as they have three straight home contests against San Diego, Pacific and UC Davis after playing the first six on the road.
Meanwhile, UC Davis takes a 1-0 league record into the road contests versus UCSB and CP, knowing that a win in either match would put the Aggies in solid contention for a regular season title. However, the Aggies have struggled lately with three losses in a row. UC Riverside a neutral site match against UC San Diego this week.
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.