Long Beach State Hosts Two-Match Homestand At Rhodes Tennis Center

Friday, March 13

Long Beach, Calif.

12 p.m.

Long Beach State University

Saint Mary's

Long Beach State Hosts Two-Match Homestand At Rhodes Tennis Center

3/12/2026 1:45:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Beach welcomes Saint Mary’s on Friday before Saturday showdown with Wichita State

By: Chelsea Pfohl, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- No. 62 Long Beach State returns to the Rhodes Tennis Center this weekend for a pair of home matches, hosting Saint Mary's on Friday, March 13 at noon before facing No. 28 Wichita State on Saturday, March 14 at noon.

The Beach enters the week 8-6 overall and 3-1 in Big West play, looking to build momentum at home against two contrasting opponents.

Friday's matchup features a Saint Mary's squad that is 2-7 overall. Long Beach State aims to protect home court and sharpen their execution heading into a marquee Saturday contest. Securing the doubles point and applying pressure early in singles will be key against a Saint Mary's lineup searching for consistency.

Saturday presents a significant test against nationally ranked Wichita State. The Shockers are 12-3 overall, 3-0 in the American Conference and ranked No. 28 as a team. They also bring elite individual credentials, highlighted by the No. 12-ranked doubles tandem of Xin Tong Wang and Giorgia Roselli. In singles, Wang is ranked No. 124 and Theodora Chantava stands at No. 106, giving Wichita State proven firepower at the top of the lineup.

Long Beach State owns a 4-3 win over Wichita State earlier this season, defeating the Shockers at the ITA Kickoff Weekend in January, hosted by Texas Tech. The Beach secured the victory with four singles wins, highlighted by straight-set performances from Cecilia Costa at No. 2 and Paulina Franco at No. 6, along with three-set clinchers from Diana De Simone at No. 3 and Pamela Badillo at No. 5 to seal the match.

For the Beach, the doubles point will be pivotal, particularly against one of the nation's top-ranked pairs. Strong starts and disciplined baseline play in singles will be critical in neutralizing Wichita State's depth and experience.

With conference play in full swing, the weekend offers Long Beach State an opportunity to reinforce its national standing and defend home court against a ranked opponent.