April 24, 2008

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -

The Schedule
Friday-Sunday, April 24-27
Big West Tennis Championship
Indian Wells, Calif.

Quarterfinal Match
Friday, April 25, 2008 at 3:00 p.m.
No. 4 Cal Poly vs. No. 5 UC Santa Barbara

Season in Review
The Gauchos enter the 2008 Big West Tennis Championships at 9-13 overall, and 4-4 in conference play. After starting the year 4-2, UCSB struggled mightily going 5-11 in its last 16 contests. The Gauchos were able to rebound down the stretch late in the season, winning two of their last three conference matches to lock down the No. 5 seed.

It's Deja Vu, All Over Again
Last year at this time, UC Santa Barbara was seeded No. 4 and Cal Poly was the No. 5 seed. An injury to Carina Bjornstrom forced the Gauchos to move up everyone one position last year, and the Gauchos were swept by the Mustangs in the opening round. This year roles are reversed, as UCSB is the No. 5 seed and Cal Poly is the No. 4 seed. The Gauchos will look to avenge a 7-0 loss that occurred in their final match this year against the Mustangs.

Tough Competition
The 2008 edition of the Big West women's tennis tournament features two nationally ranked teams. Defending champion and resident powerhouse Long Beach State enters the tournament nationally ranked at No. 39. UC Irvine, whose only conference loss this year was against the 49ers, comes into the tournament ranked at No. 59. UC Santa Barbara was the only team in the Big West this year to score more than one point against Long Beach State, when they were defeated by the 49ers earlier this year, 4-3.