This weekend, the Big West Tournament at Indian Wells will feature the #39 Long Beach State women’s tennis team (16-6) trying to earn its sixth NCAA Tournament bid in seven years.  The Beach is looking to wrap up its fifth straight Big West championship after going undefeated in league play (8-0.)

Even though it’s much of the same for the team, the three freshman in the top-six spots are seeing Big West domination for the first time.  No. 3 single Deborah Armstrong leads the way for the youngsters with a 22-14 record on the year.  She’s the 14th player in history to reach 22 victories.

The #4 single, Stephanie Jones, went 16-6 in her first year and has gone undefeated against the Big West in both singles and doubles this year (16-0.)  Meanwhile, #6 single Lisa Sutton (13-6) has won four straight matches twice this season, and has currently won four of the last five.

But, at the top and leading the way are the veterans Hannah Grady and Stephanie Bengson, who together make the #56 ranked doubles team in the nation.  Grady and Bengson have started since they were freshman, and Grady (65-24 career, 24-9 this year) has won Big West Player of the Year twice.  Bengson is the all-time record holder for singles wins (70) and is two wins away from the combined record (147.)

The 49ers, the top seed in this year’s Big West tournament, will play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9am.  Pairings for the NCAA Tournament will be announced on Tuesday, April 29 at 11 a.m. on ESPNEWS, while the individual NCAA Singles and Doubles draws will be announced on April 30 at ncaasports.com. Liking individual pairings take a serious look at players ranked in the top-125 in singles play and top-60 in doubles play.