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Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
Cal State Fullerton
Long Beach State Hosts Cal State Fullerton In Key Big West Showdown
3/27/2026 9:20:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Beach return to conference play riding momentum from Dartmouth win, face unbeaten Titans at Rhodes Tennis Center
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- No. 67 Long Beach State returns to Big West play this Saturday at 11 a.m. with a high-stakes matchup against conference leader Cal State Fullerton at the Rhodes Tennis Center in Long Beach. The Beach enter the contest at 10-7 overall and 3-1 in conference action, with their only Big West setback coming on the road at Hawai'i. Saturday's meeting presents a critical opportunity to close the gap in the standings against a red-hot Titans squad that sits at 12-4 overall and a perfect 5-0 in conference play.
Long Beach State builds momentum into the matchup following a strong 4-2 victory over then-No. 60 Dartmouth last week. Despite dropping the doubles point, the Beach responded with a dominant showing in singles, winning four courts to clinch the match. Cecilia Costa anchored the lineup with a resilient three-set win at the top position, while Diana De Simone, Thea Jagare, and Paulina Franco each added straight or three-set victories to secure the team result. The performance highlighted the team's depth and ability to rebound after early adversity, a trait that will be essential against Fullerton.
The Titans present one of the toughest challenges in the conference, combining consistency across the lineup with an unblemished league record. Their 5-0 Big West mark underscores both their depth and ability to close tight matches, positioning them as a primary contender for the regular season title.
For Long Beach State, the key will be flipping the doubles point and maintaining the same level of composure shown in singles against Dartmouth. The Beach have demonstrated they can compete with nationally ranked opponents, and returning to conference play at home provides a favorable setting to build on that momentum.
