Athletic Report
June 4, 2000

ZIAS MOVE UP TO #11 IN FINAL POLL
Highest Ranking in the History of ENMU Tennis
PORTALES, NM — The Eastern New Mexico University women’s tennis team, which won the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional in Edmond, Okla., and reached the Round of 16 in the NCAA National Tournament has moved up to #11 in the Final NCAA Division II Poll for 1999-2000 as released by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).

It is the highest national ranking in the history of the Zia tennis program. ENMU’s previous top ranking was #13 in the National Poll released on April 28.

The Zias finished the season with a 16-5 overall record and took second place in the Lone Star Conference. ENMU’s .762 winning percentage was the best in school history.

Sophomore Layla Turner (Casa Grande, AZ/Casa Grande Union H.S.), the Zias’ #1 singles player, moved up to #25 in the final national singles rankings for 1999-2000. Turner, who took 6th place at the ITA/Rolex National Tournament in singles last fall, concluded the year with a 25-5 record. She was #29 in the previous ranking. Turner and doubles partner Julie Stiles (Sr., Roswell, NM/Goddard H.S.) moved from #12 in the previous ranking to #11 in the final national doubles rankings.

Turner and Stiles earned 5th place at the ITA/Rolex National Tournament in doubles, and finished the season with a 26-3 overall record. In addition to their national ranking, the Zias were ranked #2 in the Midwest Region. The Midwest Region hosted four NCAA Regional Tournaments.

In addition to ENMU, other Midwest Regional titles were won by Abilene Christian, Midwestern State and Ferris State. Turner concluded the year ranked #3 in the Midwest Region in singles. Turner and Stiles were ranked #2 in the Region in doubles.

National champion BYU-Hawaii was ranked #1 in the Final National Poll. Abilene Christian, ranked #7, was the only team from the Midwest Region ranked higher than ENMU.

The Zias, under the guidance of Head Coach Christine Blaeser, earned their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 1999-2000. Stiles recently was graduated from ENMU, but seven other players will return to the Zias for the 2000-01 season.