Sports Release
March 22, 1999

ENMU TENNIS CLOSING IN
ON THIRD STRAIGHT NCAA BERTH
PORTALES, NM — The Eastern New Mexico University women’s tennis team, which has qualified for an NCAA Division II Regional Tournament the past two seasons, is having another outstanding season in 1998-99.

The Zias are currently 15-4 overall and are ranked #25 in the nation. A third straight Regional Tournament berth appears likely, as the Zias continue one of their best seasons ever.

ENMU has played a challenging schedule. Nine of Eastern’s 19 dual matches have been against nationally ranked opponents. The Zias are 5-4 in those matches, including two wins over Cameron University and one win each against Midwestern State, Northwest Missouri State and Grand Canyon. The quality schedule makes ENMU a solid contender for an NCAA Tournament berth when teams are selected in late April.

The Regional Tournaments will be held May 7-9 at the campus of participating teams. One team from the Midwest Region will receive an automatic berth into the National Finals, with 12 additional teams playing in three 4-team Regional Tournaments. The winner of each Regional will also advance to the National Finals, set for May 13-16 in Pensacola, Fla.

ENMU reached the Regional championship match in 1997 before falling to Northern Colorado. The Zias were defeated by eventual Regional champion Abilene Christian in the first round in 1998.

This year’s team appears to have a good chance to reach the Regional final and perhaps qualify for ENMU’s first ever trip to the National Finals.

“This year’s players are strong in their mental preparation before matches as well as their mental toughness during matches,” said ENMU Head Coach Christine Blaeser. “We’ve played against tough teams throughout the year, sometimes playing more than one on the same day. The mental toughness the Zias have developed will be a big plus during conference and NCAA Tournament play.”

The 1998-99 squad has been led by freshman Layla Turner at #1 singles. Turner, from Casa Grande, Ariz. (Casa Grande Union H.S.), was ranked #53 at the conclusion of the fall season. The first singles ranking of the spring season will be released later this month. Turner is 24-5 overall, including 15-2 this spring.

“Layla and I are very pleased that she has been able to defeat top opponents this early in her career,” Blaeser said. “She is clearly one of the top players in the Midwest Region.”

Rounding out the top six for the Zias are junior Julie Stiles (Roswell, NM/Goddard H.S.) at #2 singles, senior Rozlyn Gorski (El Paso, TX/Coronado H.S.) at #3 singles, freshman Makenzie McCravey (Eldorado, TX/Eldorado H.S.) at #4 singles, freshman Sarah Pennington (Sweetwater, TX/Sweetwater H.S.) at #5 singles and senior Dena Boans (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) at #6 singles.

Turner and Stiles compete at #1 doubles, Gorski and McCravey play #2 doubles, and Pennington and Boans form Eastern’s #3 doubles team.

Pennington and Boans won the Lone Star Conference title at #3 doubles during the fall season. The Zias will play one more dual match and compete at two important tournaments before the NCAA Regional Tournament pairings are announced.

The Zias host Tarleton State in an LSC match on Fri., Apr. 9. ENMU is currently 6-1 against LSC opponents. Eastern then travels to the University of Central Oklahoma Broncho Tournament, Apr. 15-17, in Edmond, Okla. Top teams in the Midwest Region will be on hand, and LSC teams will familiarize themselves with the UCO tennis courts, which will host the LSC Team Tournament, Apr. 23-25.

Last year, the Zias placed 7th at the LSC Tournament. ENMU hopes to improve on last year’s finish, while challenging for a berth in the LSC championship match. The Zias then hope to put together a successful NCAA Regional Tournament to continue the success of their 1998-99 season.