CLU WOMEN REFINE SKILLS AT HIGHER LEVEL OF TENNIS.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer

The Cal Lutheran University women's tennis team has a clear idea of what it needs to do if it wants its season to extend beyond this weekend.

Of course, going out there and doing it might be a problem.

The Regals, now in fifth place in the Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Conference standings, must secure one of the top two spots in this weekend's SCIAC Tournament at Caltech.

In doing so, they likely would qualify for the Division III regional playoffs.

But for second-year coach Nancy Garrison, the main goal is to have fun and gain experience. With a team loaded with juniors, simply competing against the top SCIAC teams in pressure situations can help CLU gain savvy and confidence for next year.

``It's always good to play at that level because it's important that we get some experience,'' Garrison said. ``I believe once our players realize they can play good tennis against good competition, they'll get that much better.''

The top SCIAC teams this year have been Pomona Pitzer, Redlands and Claremont-Mudd, all three nationally ranked.

It will be a challenge for the Regals to beat any of those clubs, but, as Garrison has pointed out, CLU is playing as much for the future as it is for the present.

``I guess we have our eye on Redlands because they're the closest to us in third place,'' Garrison said. ``But whatever happens, I've been happy with the team's attitude and effort. That's what I like to stress.''

She also likes to stress winning, although she thinks more of that will come in the future.

This year's team is short on experience and competing in a higher level than players envisioned at the outset of the season.

For instance, the No. 1 singles player, Alia Gustafson, is probably better suited at No. 2. But when her predecessor as No. 1 player wasn't able to play this year, everybody moved up a notch.

``It's kind of discouraging for someone like Alia because she's probably playing at too high a level,'' Garrison said. ``But at the same time, your game is going to improve considerably when you play against top players on a consistent basis.''

Gustafson, a junior, will get a chance for some revenge next year.

Having played No. 2 since her freshman year, Gustafson had just started to feel comfortable when she learned she would have to step up to No. 1. It's been a definite struggle, but Gustafson says she's using this year to try new things and improve as much as possible.

``I guess you can say this is an experiment year for me,'' she said. ``In the past I never came to the net, and now I'm doing that more and more. And I'm also working on a different serve.''

Garrison sympathizes with Gustafson, who would have preferred to play No. 2.

``Of course her record might not be as good because this year she's playing some real good players.'' Garrison said. ``But as long as she starts believing that she can play at that level, the better she'll be. I think that can happen.''

The same is true for the rest of the team, which doesn't have the overall depth of the other league powers but has some solid people playing and learning.

Doubles mates Anna Olson and Liza Tan are also facing top competition each match.

``I don't think they'd seen the type of competition they've played this year,'' Garrison said. ``And it's only a matter of time before they start to realize and get the type of confidence they need to compete at that level.''

Garrison would love to see the Regals consistently be one of the premiere teams in the SCIAC. She thinks it can happen with some solid recruiting and heavy emphasis on players involved in junior national tournaments.

``It's hard to beat getting people who have that type of experience under their belt,'' Garrison said. ``My high school team got real good and it just snowballed. You have players pushing each other and getting better. That's what I'd like to see happen here. But it takes time.''