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From LBSU reports<\/span><\/p>\n Long Beach State, winners of the last five Big West titles, will start off their run for a sixth consecutive title as the highest regarded team in the conference entering the season, posting a national ranking of No. 48 in the ITA Preseason Rankings. This is the third year in a row that the 49ers have started the season in the Top 50.<\/p>\n Long Beach State’s no. 48 ranking tops two other Big West schools also ranked. UC Irvine starts the year at no. 64, while Cal Poly just slid in at no. 75. The 49ers’ high spot is in part due to the respect afforded Hannah Grady. Grady enters her senior season ranked no. 68, and is currently tied for the most singles wins in school history. She is one of just two Big West players ranked in singles, well ahead of Maria Malec from Cal Poly, who is currently ranked at no. 120.<\/p>\n In the West Region, Long Beach State was the only school from the six Big West schools in that region to place any singles players. Grady starts the season ranked no. 10 in the region, while sophomore Deborah Armstrong is ranked no. 28.<\/p>\n The 49ers begin the spring team season on January 23, traveling across town for a dual match with USC. The home opener in the newly dedicated Rhodes Tennis Center will be on February 6 against Florida International.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n