Athletic Report
March 17, 2000

ZIAS MOVE UP TO #14 IN NCAA DIVISION II
PORTALES, NM — The Eastern New Mexico University women’s tennis team has moved up to #14 in the most recent Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Poll for NCAA Division II.

The Zias, currently 3-3 overall, were ranked #18 in the previous poll, released last fall. Eastern’s new position at #14 is the Zias’ highest national ranking ever.

ENMU earned its first ever Top 20 ranking last spring, when the Zias concluded the season at #19. Overall, 40 teams from Division II are ranked by coaches in the ITA.

The current rankings are based on games played prior to last week, when ENMU lost to three very strong opponents: Ferris State (#12), Abilene Christian (#7) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (NCAA Division I).

ENMU hopes to qualify for its fourth consecutive NCAA Division II regional tournament this spring. The Zias qualified for regional tournaments in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Last year, the Zias reached the regional championship game before losing to Central Oklahoma.

The Zias play two matches at the Zia Tennis Complex tomorrow (Mar. 18). ENMU will take on Texas Woman’s University at 9:00 a.m. (MST) and will face Fort Hays State University at 4:00 p.m. The matches begin a 6-match homestand for the Zias. --- 30 ---