For the seventh consecutive season the Sacramento State women’s tennis team has won the Big Sky regular season title.

The Hornets were 8-0 against Big Sky competition, giving them 50 consecutive wins in their conference dating back to 2002.

Eight consecutive wins through March and April highlighted the latter part of the season, when many players were suffering from injuries.

“I think they’re really working hard and will do well in the conference,” Director of Tennis Bill Campbell said.

Sac State is ranked No. 44 as of April 6, the most recent collegiate rankings, and have been as high as No. 32 during the 2008 season.

“The ranking has no effect on the conference tournament, but I would expect the team to win,” Campbell said.

Sophomore Katrina Zheltova, the team’s No. 1 player, goes into the Big Sky Tournament as the reigning Big Sky MVP and the No. 45-ranked player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

The Hornets have had rough matches with teams ranked among the top 20 this year, specifically Denver, Texas and Stanford.

“We lost three matches when our No. 1 player was hurt. She lost to a player she would normally never lose to and missed the next two matches,” Campbell said.

Injuries have been a minor inconvenience for the team as they have come in bunches, but the Hornets appear relatively healthy now.

The resilience has been evident by the team’s play. With only seven players, some are often forced to play with injuries.

“If I could, I would have nine or 10 players,” coach Dima Hrynashka said. “Injuries can be a problem.”

Many of the women have been sporting braces and bandages as well as wrapping sore muscles in ice immediately following matches.

The women played admirably against Stanford while injuries plagued most of the lineup.

“(Zheltova) tried to play against Stanford, but started hurting and she toughed it out before we pulled her. She’ll be ready for the conference tournament,” Campbell said.

The Big Sky Tournament is an important competition because the Hornets have a reputation as a powerhouse.

Every match against a Big Sky opponent this season showed a lopsided score in favor of the Hornets, aside from a 4-3 victory over Northern Arizona.

The Hornets had two 7-0 victories and five 6-1 victories in the Big Sky. They only lost 8 of 56 points in conference play.

Tournament play for the Big Sky begins Friday, April 25, and lasts through Sunday, April 27.

The NCAA D-I Tournament’s first two rounds are Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10.

“If they make the NCAA Tournament, they’ll probably play a top-10 team, so it’s real tough,” Campbell said.

Cameron Ross can be reached at [email protected]