By snoadmin
The University of Denver is far from being Washington, UCLA or Pepperdine, which were Long Beach State’s NCAA first-round opponents in previous years.
But with a 22-2 season and a Sun Belt title this season, No. 28-ranked Denver could be a handful for the No. 41-ranked Big West champions. However, Big West Player of the Year Hannah Grady and LBSU career singles win leader Stephanie Bengson are confident that a win is not out of the question.
“It’s going to be completely new [Friday],” Grady said. “We’re preparing and training. If we just go out there and have fun, I believe we can win.”
Bengson was elated with the opportunity the 49ers have before them.
“I’m really excited that we drew Denver,” Bengson said. “It’s a match that we feel we can get off and win.”
The season has been a challenge for the 49ers, both with opponents and team chemistry. LBSU entered the 2008 season with four freshman players on the roster. Grady said that she, Bengson and her fellow team veterans had to play a bigger role on the team.
“This is the first season upperclassmen had to look out for the younger players,” Grady said. “It’s been different because I’ve been older. Tennis-wise, it’s been trying, but it’s been fun.”
Bengson believed it was helpful for the team to do so.
“I think – especially Hannah and I – took upon a guidance role in what to expect on different circumstances,” Bengson said. “We helped the freshmen prepare for opponents and not let them be intimidated by the names and rankings of the opponents.”
Three of those freshmen are in the six starting spots. Deborah Armstrong, Stephanie Jeanes and Lisa Sutton played at the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 6 spots, respectively, and negated any signs of freshman jitters this season. Armstrong posted an 11-6 record as the No. 3 player, Jeanes notched a 16-6 record at No. 4 and Sutton was 13-6 as No. 6. In fact, it was the freshmen that were the deciding factors in two one-point LBSU wins this season.
With LBSU and No. 67-ranked Penn tied up Mar. 13 at El Dorado Park, Armstrong performed in the clutch with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 win over the Quakers’ Charlotte Tansill to clinch the 49ers’ 4-3 victory. Jeanes did the same against a different player named Charlotte, but from UC Santa Barbara.
The Australian ran through Charlotte Scatliffe 6-2, 7-6 at Santa Barbara to give a LBSU a narrow 4-3 over the Gauchos April 3. Jeanes, who didn’t drop a singles or doubles point in conference play all year, earned the Big West Freshman Player of the Year award later that month. Those were the only one-point matches LBSU had all season long, but the experiences were well worth it, according to Grady.
“It’s been really positive,” Grady said. “Knowing how different people play, we didn’t have any expectations because of that.”
As the Big West’s top women’s tennis player for a conference-record third straight year, Grady once again ascended to national recognition with a No. 82-ranking and a bid in the upcoming NCAA Singles Tournament beginning May 21. Despite having a singles tournament in wait, Grady is focused on Denver.
“I’ve played them for a couple of years,” Grady said regarding the Pioneers. “I’m not really thinking about that [NCAA singles tournament]. My priority’s the team.”
The same goes with the “Banger.”
“We look at each match as an opportunity to play our best match,” Bengson said. “We don’t feel we have to play at a higher level, because we do it all the time each practice.”
Practice has made perfect for the senior standout. With 147 combined wins under her belt, Bengson has the opportunity to be the LBSU career leader in the category with a win Friday in either singles or doubles play.
Bengson said she was proud of the honor, but had hoped to join her teammate in the NCAA Singles Tournament for her final year. Nonetheless, the team’s success and draw in the NCAA Tournament has made for an edge in the first round, according to Bengson.
“We can match their game,” Bengson said. “I think [the record against common opponents] gives LBSU an advantage. We’ve all played very well lately.”
The 49ers had to battle through a difficult non-conference schedule that included No. 8-ranked California, No. 10-ranked Southern California, No. 21-ranked Arizona State and No. 27-ranked Louisiana State.
The Beach used the grueling schedule to its advantage and took care of business in the Big West. Behind dominant doubles performances (the 49ers only dropped one doubles point in conference play), Grady and Bengson’s record-setting seasons and a collective team effort, the 49ers ended the conference schedule a perfect 8-0 and swept all singles and doubles points in the Big West Tournament.
“We definitely came together in the Big West,” Bengson said. “Someone stepped up everyday. It was pretty much an all-rounded effort.”
This all-rounded effort gave head coach Jenny Hilt-Costello her fifth Big West Coach of the Year honor and fourth in five years. Hilt-Costello tied Carol Plunkett (San Diego State) for most Coach of the Year awards.
The Pioneers had only two losses on the season, but were 2-2 against common opponents with LBSU, while The Beach compiled a 3-1 record. The 49ers also have another thing going for them: they are entering their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament, while Denver is playing in its first since 2004.
Does the postseason experience matter? Grady said it shouldn’t be too big of a deal.
“Those were different days,” Grady said. “[The records] do give us an advantage and gives us confidence, but I don’t think we’re more experienced.”
Nonetheless, Bengson, Grady and the rest of the black and gold have their sights set on walking out of UCLA with two victories. The No. 7-ranked, Pac-10 champion Bruins (18-5) and Mid-American Conference champion Buffalo (12-8) are in the other bracket, and a potential NCAA Tournament rematch with UCLA Saturday could be ahead for LBSU.
“If we can get through Friday’s match, we will have a tough match with UCLA,” Bengson said.
“It will be a tough match, but anything can happen on the day,” Grady said.
LBSU’s match against Denver begins at 10 a.m. at the Los Angeles Tennis Center on the UCLA campus.
