Santa Clara, Calif. – The WCC undefeated Santa Clara women's tennis team will face off against the 4-1 Loyola Marymount Lions this Sunday February 27th at 11:00 a.m. on the Degheri Courts.
Coming off a 5-2 loss to Big West power Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the Broncos look to bounce back in league play this Sunday, while the Lions' squad aims to tally a second win in its first WCC match of the season.
LMU was picked to finish fifth just behind Santa Clara in the pre-season coaches' poll, and Santa Clara head coach Ben Cabell expects a hard fought match.
"It's going to be a really tight match," said Cabell. "We won 4-3 last year, and I think both teams are better this year, so it will be close again."
Although the LMU squad just recently earned its first win of the season, the record does not fully reflect the team's ability. Three of the losses were handed to the Lions by nationally ranked teams (Arizona No. 49, UCLA No. 7 and Long Beach State No. 46).
With five freshmen and two transfers joining the team, the Lions look to improve on last season's 0-9 conference record."Conference matches are always important," said Cabell. "This is the first time we have gone in to the match as a favorite, which is a different challenge in itself."
Following the face-off with Lions, the Broncos will host cross-town rival San Jose State on Wednesday March 2, at 2:00 p.m.
Go Broncos!
Kelsey Houlihan '11