Sports

Springtime usually features the dramatic finishes of March Madness, the renewed hope that fills the hearts of every baseball fan because of a brand new Major League Baseball season and the final playoff pushes by teams in the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League.

BLOWOUT: In two games against CBU and UMD, the Lady Anteaters combined to score 32 goals.

Compiled by Ian Massey, Staff Writer.

With UC Irvine’s first round 79-72 loss to Long Beach State in the Big West Tournament, the 2010-2011 ’Eaters squad will on paper look very similar to the 2009-2010 team: a disappointing 13-19, (6-10 Big West) record and early exit in the postseason. Flashes of promise were mired by frustrating inconsistency. But this year was different. This year there was hope.

VOLLEYBALL: After being swept by the Bruins, UCI responds by sweeping the Ohio State Buckeyes.

On Thursday, the 2011 Major League Baseball season is expected to commence. Baseball is often divisive: love it or leave it. But it doesn’t take a diehard to appreciate the sport. On occasion, I’ve heard people voice their displeasure for the game of baseball to me, citing the game’s methodical pace, extended season and stagnant activity.

On April 9, 2010, the UC Irvine athletic department announced Golden State Warriors’ assistant basketball coach, Russell Turner, as the next man to lead the men’s basketball team.

HONORS: These standouts were instrumental to their respective team’s successes.

SPLIT: After losing to Stanford, UCI swept the UOP to go 5-1 in their six-match homestand.

After watching Cal State Fullerton go 2-0 this week and losing to UC Riverside on Saturday, UC Irvine wound up as the eighth seed going into the Big West Tournament this weekend. If things had gone their way, UCI could have placed as high as fifth; instead, they will take on No. 1 seed Long Beach State at noon on Thursday at the Honda Center.

SKID: The Lady Anteaters enter the Big West Tournament on a three-game losing streak.

TENNIS: After dropping two doubles matches, UCI storms back in the singles matches to beat BYU.