April 1, 2008

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -

The Lineup
Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.
UC Santa Barbara vs. Long Beach State
at the Rob Gym Tennis Courts

Saturday, April, 5 2008 at 12:00 p.m.
UC Santa Barbara at Loyola Marymount
at the LMU Tennis Center

Saturday, April, 6 2008 at 10:00 a.m.
UC Santa Barbara vs. UC Riverside
at the Rob Gym Tennis Courts

Tough Times
The UC Santa Barbara women's tennis team has been struggling of late, losing three of four since returning from final exams. The Gauchos did what they were supposed to in sweeping cross-town NAIA rival Westmont College, 9-0. The following day, UC Santa Barbara hosted No. 46 Boise State and fought hard, but were outlasted by the Broncos 5-2. The Gauchos then traveled North and were defeated in a rain-shortened match against San Francisco, 4-2, and were bounced by St. Mary's, 6-1. With the three consecutive losses the Gauchos now find themselves at 7-11 overall, and 2-2 in Big West conference play.

The Beach
Since starting the season 3-4, Long Beach State has been on a roll winning nine of eleven matches for an overall record of 12-5. By toppling Cal State Northridge this past Friday 6-1, the 49ers are the only remaining unbeaten team in the Big West at 5-0. Long Beach State boasts the No. 31 ranked doubles pair in the country of Hannah Grady and Stephanie Bengson. The potent duo are 16-6 overall, and 11-4 in dual competition at the No. 1 slot for the 49ers this year.

The Lions
After starting the year off with seven consecutive defeats, Loyola Marymount has risen from the dead and gone 7-4 since then. Senior Pavla Mesterova is having a stellar year going 11-5 overall at No. 1 singles and is ranked No. 65 in the country. The Lions will host Cal State Northridge this Thursday, Apr. 3 before battling the Gauchos.

The Highlanders
The UC Riverside women's tennis team has been on hiatus, having not competed in a match since Mar. 15. The Highlanders played two that afternoon cloberring both the University of Pittsburgh and Texas State University 6-1, in both contests. UC Riverside, 0-3 in league, is one of three Big West teams still vying for their first victory in conference play.