Feb. 8, 2010

NO. 53 ANTEATERS AT LOYOLA MARYMOUNT; HOST CAL POLY: The No. 53 UC Irvine women’s tennis team (1-2) will travel to Los Angeles Thursday to face Loyola Marymount at 1:30 p.m. at the LMU Tennis Center. UCI then hosts Cal Poly Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in their home opener at Anteater Tennis Stadium.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Lions are 0-1 to start the week and face Hawaii Monday. Jasmin Heckel is the No. 1 singles player for LMU.

The Mustangs are 2-0 on the year. No. 98 Suzie Matzenauer is the No. 1 singles player for Cal Poly.

WEEK IN REVIEW: The Anteaters lost 7-0 at No. 12 UCLA in their lone match of the week. Junior Becka Kwan (San Diego/Torrey Pines HS) had the best day as she lost in a third set tiebreaker in the No. 5 singles match.

ANTEATERS IN THE RANKINGS: The Anteaters are currently ranked 53^rd in the country by the ITA rankings. Sophomore Stephanie Hammel (Placentia/Valencia HS) is ranked 15^th in singles in the Southwest Region and 109^th nationally. Junior Brooke Bartlett (Fountain Valley HS) is ranked 20^th in singles in the region. The doubles team of Hammel and sophomore Courtney Byron (Scottsdale, Ariz./Notre Dame Prep HS) is ranked third in the region. The ‘Eaters ended the 2009 season ranked 57^th nationally.

TOP RETURNERS: Stephanie Hammel was named Big West Freshman of the Year in 2009 as well as All-Big West first team in singles and doubles with the now graduated Heidi Kaloi. Courtney Byron was All-Big West second team in singles and honorable mention in doubles with junior Miranda Young (Newport Beach/Tufts Univ.). Brooke Bartlett was named All-Big West honorable mention in singles. Becka Kwan led all returnees with a 16-6 record in singles last season.