Athletic Report
October 23, 1999

LAYLA TURNER FINISHES 6TH AT ITA/ROLEX NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
MEMPHIS, TN — Eastern New Mexico University sophomore tennis player Layla Turner (Casa Grande, AZ/Casa Grande Union H.S.) took sixth place in the singles bracket at the ITA/Rolex NCAA Division II National Tournament in Memphis, Tenn. Turner also took fifth place with senior Julie Stiles (Roswell, NM/Goddard H.S.) in doubles.

Turner, exhausted from two singles matches and three doubles matches over the previous two days, had little energy left for her consolation finals match against Danielle Faretta of Bloomsburg University (Pa.) at 8:30 a.m. on Sat., Oct. 23. Even so, Turner played well, providing a challenging match. Farreta, who played just one match each day because she qualified for the National Tournament in singles only, prevailed 6-4, 6-3 to take fifth place in the tournament.

Turner, who defeated Rachel Key of Presbyterian College (S.C.), 6-2, 6-4, in Friday’s consolation semifinals, finished sixth. “Layla played well,” said ENMU Head Coach Christine Blaeser. “I think she gave all that she had.”

In doubles, Turner and Stiles won the consolation finals, defeating Jennifer Garvey and Sharrie Kindig of Ferris State University (Mich.), 6-1, 6-2. The victory gave Turner and Stiles a fifth place finish in doubles. “I think we had a great showing at the National Tournament,” Blaeser said. “I am pleased with the way they played. They represented our region and our school in an excellent manner.”

The ITA/Rolex NCAA Division II National Tournament concludes today. All tournament matches are being played at the Racquet Club of Memphis or at Rhodes College. The champions of the NCAA Division II event will remain in Memphis through Sun., Oct. 24 to compete in the Rolex “Super Bowl”, which matches the NCAA Division II singles and doubles champions against champions from NCAA Division III, the NAIA and the NJCAA.