Juan Villa / The Collegian

Home-court advantage has Bulldogs ready for all-comers

For the first time since 2001, the Fresno State women̢۪s tennis team will be home for the NCAA Tournament.

No, the Bulldogs won̢۪t be watching the tournament on TV, but rather sleeping in their own beds as hosts of the first and second rounds of the women̢۪s regional.

The Bulldogs were awarded the No. 14 seed in the 64-team field, and will host No. 20 Pepperdine, Army and Long Beach State in the opening round.

“We are extremely pleased to be hosting the first and second rounds this year,� Fresno State head coach Simon Thibodeau said. “I know it will be an enjoyable experience for the teams participating as well as for the fans.�

The Bulldogs are riding an 11-match winning streak heading into their match against the Army Black Knights, who won the Patriot League conference championship to earn a postseason berth.

The Bulldogs will play the second match of the day May 12 against the Black Knights, and will be preceded by the match between Pepperdine and Long Beach St.

With a 4-0 win over Boise State in the WAC Tournament this year, Fresno State won its sixth straight WAC Championship.
The last time the Bulldogs hosted a regional, they lost to the UCLA Bruins, 4-3.