Eye on sports

The start of the 1998 fall semester provided the Cal State Long Beach population with many changes around campus. This included changes in students, changes in faculty and changes in campus appearance.

Manuel Gamiz Jr.

One thing that is sure to stay the same is the continued success of Long Beach State athletics. This year, the fall sports schedule will be highlighted by the women's volleyball team's bid for a third national championship. Last year, the team made its fifth Final Four appearance, and this year they will once again count on a MVP season out of All-American Misty May which they hope to conclude with a trip to Madison, Wis. and the NCAA Championships.

The men's basketball team will hope to improve on last year's disappointing season and will need to replace Andrew Betts in order to have a successful season. To help, they have six players returning from a year ago.

Dallas Boychuk, women's basketball head coach, will lead the Lady 49ers in their quest for the Big West title. Only four players are gone from a year ago, so Boychuk should have an experienced ball club when games begin in November.

Women's soccer, cross-country, golf, tennis and water polo will also be competing in for Long Beach State during the fall season.

Although the changes to the academic schedule have made many students angry, the fall sports season should be able to provide students with something to cheer about.

Manuel Gamiz Jr. is the sports editor of Daily Forty-Niner.