49ers open Big West tennis season at Fullerton

LBSU looks to regain conference title after upset in last season’s finals.

Contributing Writer

Published: Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Updated: Wednesday, February 2, 2011 21:02

Stefan Agregado | Daily 49er

Julie Luzar will enter the Big West Conference opener as the Long Beach State women’s tennis team’s No. 6 singles player when the 49ers visit Cal State Fullerton on Friday. First serve is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Luzar, a junior, is competing in place of 49ers sophomore Klaudia Malenovska, who is serving an 11-match suspension from the NCAA.

After coming off a disappointing finish last season, the Long Beach State women's tennis team will have its sights set on the top spot of the Big West Conference.

The 49ers — who won six consecutive Big West titles — lost to UC Irvine in the conference finals last year.

Nonetheless, LBSU head coach Jenny Hilt-Costello said she is confident in her team's ability to bounce back.

"Absolutely, I think the girls are hungry," the 14th-year head coach said.

However, The Beach will have to battle through tough opposition.

Hilt-Costello said LBSU's biggest threat would come from schools with deep rosters, namely Cal Poly. Other teams that may pose as a challenge are UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine and the University of the Pacific.

However, Hilt-Costello believes her team can come out victorious.

"If we continue to work hard and improve as we have, I like our chances to win the Big West this season," she added.

Now a match into the spring season, the 49ers (0-1) are ranked No. 42 in the nation. The Beach lost to USC, 6-1, in a nonconference match on Jan. 21.

Led by junior and No. 1 singles player Anais Dallara, The Beach will begin Big West play on the road against Cal State Fullerton this Friday.

Dallara insisted she, along with the entire team, is prepared for the upcoming match, which starts at 1:30 p.m.

"We have been playing really good," said Dallara, who was a first-team All-Big West singles selection. "We are all excited."

Dallara also displayed confidence, saying there is no real threat.

At No. 2 in singles play is sophomore Jaklin Alawi, who earned the Big West Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Big West honors last season.

The No. 3 through No. 5 singles players, in order, are: senior Deborah Armstrong, and sophomores Anna Jeczmionka and Sarah Cantlay.

The No. 6 spot is subject to change.

In a carry-over from last year's suspension, Hilt-Costello said sophomore Klaudia Malenovska will be ineligible for the first 11 matches after accepting prize money for playing in club team matches overseas in Austria.

In the meantime, junior Julie Luzar will hold the No. 6 slot.

Doubles competition will resemble the singles slotting, with Dallara and Armstrong pairing up at the No. 1 spot. Alawi and Jeczmionka will be at the No. 2, while Cantlay and Luzar hold the third spot.

After facing the Titans, LBSU will travel to Loyola Marymount for an 11 a.m. contest Saturday.

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