Pacific and UC Davis battle in the first men's conference match of the 2010 season while the Long Beach State women take a trip back east to highlight the week in Big West tennis.
NOTEWORTHY
Women’s Tennis Has Light Week Of Competition
Only four women’s tennis matches are on tap for this weekend as six of the nine Big West squads are idle. Long Beach State heads out to the east coast to face Maryland and George Washington before returning to play 12 of its next 13 matches at home. UC Irvine travels down south to face No. 42 San Diego State on Saturday in its second consecutive match against a ranked opponent. Pacific is the lone Big West school to host a match, welcoming Saint Mary’s to the Hal Nelson Tennis Courts on Saturday. The Tigers picked up a pair of neutral site victories in Las Vegas last week, besting both Weber State and New Mexico State. Looking ahead to next week, the Big West will be taking on a couple of ranked opponents as UC Davis travels to No. 13 Stanford and UC Irvine visits No. 12 UCLA.
First Men’s Conference Match On This Week’s Ledger
Amidst all the busyness of non-conference play, the first Big West men’s conference match is sprinkled into this week’s schedule. Northern California foes UC Davis and Pacific will contest each other on Saturday in Stockton. The Tigers defeated the Aggies, 6-1, in last year’s matchup at Davis.
More Men’s Tennis Matchups
The recent rains in California have wreaked havoc with a host of matches. The Cal Poly men’s tennis team has had the start of its season delayed by a week due to the downpours, but is scheduled to play at No. 17 Pepperdine on Wednesday. The Mustangs also travel to Santa Clara for a Sunday contest. Pacific, originally scheduled to play Fresno State on Tuesday, had its match with the No. 46 Bulldogs pushed back to Wednesday. UC Riverside had the same thing happen in its season opener at San Diego. The Highlanders hope to play the Toreros on Wednesday before continuing a busy week that also includes a Saturday home doubleheader versus Vanguard and Riverside Community College.
Little Movement In ITA Poll
The second edition of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll, released on Jan. 26, featured little movement in the team rankings. Long Beach State and UC Irvine dropped only one spot to No. 51 and No. 58, respectively, after both squads fell to No. 9 USC in their season openers. New singles and doubles rankings will not come out until Feb, 18. Currently, Pacific’s Jenifer Widjaja is No. 60 in singles, followed by Cal Poly’s Suzie Matzenauer at No. 98 and UC Irvine’s Stephanie Hammel at No. 109.
Three Big West women’s doubles teams also have been recognized in the ITA poll. Cal Poly’s top two doubles teams - Amy Markhoff and Matzenauer, and Brittany Blalock and Steffi Wong – were ranked No. 42 and No. 58, respectively. Long Beach State incoming freshman Jaklin Alawi and teammate Rachel Manasse are rated No. 58 among the nation’s doubles outfits.
On the men’s side, 2009 Big West regular season co-champion Pacific dropped two spots to No. 71 despite not playing a match. Tiger junior Artem Gramma is No. 108 in singles.
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.