Long Beach State women's tennis star Jing Chen is looking to finish her career at The Beach with a smash.
Chen said she has worked hard coming into her final year of collegiate competition and is looking forward to the start of the season this spring.
"I'm so excited for this year," Chen said. "I know I have the potential to get into the top 10 or 20 in the nation."
"I really want to do well, this is my last year," Chen continued. "Our team has a lot of new players and we think we are going to be better this year than last year."
Last year the team finished third in The Big West Conference.
During the summer Chen said she worked hard on her overall game.
She said she has improved her footwork and her ability to come up with a big shot when needed.
"When I play a good player I need to have a really good shot to beat them," Chen said. "Then I can start to come to the net more often."
Head coach Jennifer Hilt says, "Chen is an aggressive baseliner. A big part of her game is taking her opponents time away by running them off the court. We are trying to get her to come in and close out the points at the net."
Chen says she is mainly a baseline player but knows to beat top ranked players she will need to play close to the net.
"My volley is good," Chen said, "but, I don't really feel confident to come to the net."
Hilt says she sees the improvements form when Chen came to Cal State Long Beach a year ago.
"She is playing a lot smarter," Hilt said. "I see the improvements as she is moving into the net and closing out points."
Chen says she has worked hard to develop her confidence at the net by working with a private coach during the summer.
However, Chen will still rely on her strong forehand as her big weapon.
"My backhand is more consistent," Chen revealed, "but, my forehand is my big weapon; down the line and cross-court."
Chen has given herself high expectations this year.
"This year I want to get to the NCAA national [tournament]," Chen said.
Last year Chen and her former doubles partner, Amanda Parson, were ranked 13 in the nation but did not receive an invitation to the NCAA tournament.
"They [NCAA] pick just four teams out of the region," Chen said. "Usually they pick big schools like UCLA, so they don't pick Long Beach State ... it is a political thing."
However, this year Chen says she is hoping her strong singles play will reward her with an invitation to the NCAA singles tournament at Stanford in May.
"I really look forward to the NCAA national," Chen concluded.