Big West Conference play begins this weekend for the Long Beach State women's volleyball team with games on the road against UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

The 49ers (8-1) are coming off two weekend wins, and look to improve their record to 10-1. The team will face the No. 17 Gauchos (6-3) Friday at 7 p.m., and the Mustangs (6-3) Saturday at 7 p.m.

"The matches up there are always very, very good," said Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro. "UCSB plays exceptionally well against us. They're one of the best teams in the country. We expect an emotional, physical game."

Gimmillaro said that the recently re-formatted Big West Conference is the strongest in the nation, producing more national champions than any other conference.

He also said that the 49ers are slowly but surely getting back injured players.

"We should have everybody (except Lindsay Phillips) back in another two weeks," Gimmillaro said. "Chantae (Weathers) is day-to-day and will be out for this weekend, and Mariah (Marquis) is starting to come back from a knee injury."

The 49ers are currently ranked No. 5 in the nation by the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll and No. 6 by the Volleyball Magazine poll.

-- Lyndsey Shinoda

Cross country team hits Oahu for Hawaiian Invitational

The Long Beach State cross country team left Wednesday for Oahu, Hawaii, to compete in the Hawaii Invitational Saturday at Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course.

"I think we'll do pretty good," freshman Diane Mendoza said. "The course doesn't seem too hard."

Assistant Coach Dana Colligan Gutierrez agreed. It is a fairly flat course which is a nice change, she said.

There are about 13 schools competing, but most do not have men's teams.

"There is some pretty good competition on the women's side," Colligan Gutierrez said.

The main competition for Long Beach State's women runners is San Diego State.

"We've lost to them twice," Colligan Gutierrez said. "We would like to improve our standing to them. We want them to know that we're here and we're knocking on their door."

The men are to run only 5k as opposed to the 8k that they usually run at meets.

"This is more of a meet that we're going to train through," Colligan Gutierrez said. "We're using it as an opportunity to work on team strategies and individual goals."

The teams are scheduled to get back to the mainland Sunday night, leaving plenty of time to do more than just running.

Mendoza, who has been to Hawaii before, is looking forward to a few things besides the meet.

"The beaches, of course," she said.

-- Jennifer Umana

Women's soccer heads south for weekend series in San Diego

The Long Beach State women's soccer team heads south this weekend for its third road trip of the season for games against the University of San Diego and San Diego State.

The 49ers (3-3-1) opened last season at home with a series against the teams, falling 7-0 to USD and taking the Aztecs to double overtime before falling 3-2.

However, Head Coach Julie Cochran said the San Diego schools will not see the same 49er team as last year.

"The difference between last year's first game and the way we're playing now is huge," Cochran said.

The 49ers hope to snap a three-game losing streak Friday against a Torero team that enters the game 6-2, but is carrying a two-game losing streak of its own. A look at common opponents reveals that the 49ers and Toreros each notched a 2-0 win over Cal State Northridge, but San Diego beat Cal State Fullerton 4-1, while the 49ers lost to them in overtime.

"They are always fast and fit and a very organized team," Cochran said of the Toreros.

On Sunday the 49ers will take on an SDSU team that has lost five games in a row, and has been outscored 21-9.

Nonetheless, Cochran said she is expecting challenging games this weekend.

"We're still focusing on our team, trying to build on our strengths," Cochran said. "At this level it doesn't matter who we play, all games are going to be tough. We have to keep our focus and continue to work toward the Big West games."

-- Phil Witte

Is there a cause for alarms?