Athletic Report
May 6, 2000

UC-DAVIS DEFEATS ENMU AT NATIONAL FINALS
Zias Conclude Season at 16-5
PENSACOLA, FL — The Eastern New Mexico University women’s tennis team battled to the wire against the University of California at Davis, before falling to the Aggies, 5-4, in the first round of the NCAA Division II National Finals in Pensacola, Fla., May 11. The Zias, ranked #13 in the nation, concluded their season at 16-5 with the loss.

UC-Davis, ranked #9, improved to 15-7 on the season and advanced to the national quarterfinals. UC-Davis will take on Lynn University (Fla.), which defeated Gardner-Webb University, 6-0, in another first round match. The UC-Davis vs. Lynn match will be played at 9:00 a.m. (MDT) on Friday, May 12.

ENMU’s match with UC-Davis was tied 4-4 after all three doubles flights and five of the six singles matches. Tina Cseuz of UC-Davis clinched the victory for the Aggies by claiming a three-set triumph at #4 singles over Sarah Pennington (So., Sweetwater, TX/ Sweetwater H.S.) of ENMU. Cseuz won 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

The Zias built a 2-1 lead during the doubles matches by winning the #1 and #2 doubles flights. Eastern’s top team of Layla Turner (So., Casa Grande, NM/Casa Grande Union H.S.) and Julie Stiles (Sr., Roswell, NM/Goddard H.S.), ranked #12 in the nation, defeated UCD’s #1 team of Jill Howard and Britni Webb, 8-3. Lisa Weinman (Fr., Albuquerque, NM/West Mesa H.S.) and Pennington downed Cseuz and Janice Salomon, 8-6, at #2 doubles. The Aggies won #3 doubles, with Shawna Barasch and Gretchen Schantz defeating Mandy Wells (Fr., Pampa, TX/Pampa H.S.) and Sarah Salazar (Fr., Albuquerque, NM/St. Pius X H.S.) of ENMU, 8-1.

Turner, ranked #29 in singles, defeated Howard, ranked #22, in three sets at #1 singles. Turner rallied from a one-set deficit to claim a 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory. Stiles added another ENMU win at #2 singles, defeating Webb, 6-2, 6-2. UC-Davis won all four remaining singles flights. Barasch defeated Weinman, 6-3, 7-5, at #3 singles, and Kerri Roemer edged Wells, 6-4, 6-3, at #5 singles. Lisa Boochangkool defeated Salazar at #6 singles, 6-2, 6-0, as the Aggies tied the match. Cseuz then provided the match-winning point with her slim victory over Pennington.

ENMU’s trip to the National Finals finished an outstanding season. The Zias won their first ever NCAA Regional championship and advanced to the National Finals for the first time. Eastern also placed second at the Lone Star Conference Tennis Championships. During the fall semester, Turner placed 6th in singles and combined with Stiles to place 5th in doubles at the ITA/Rolex National Tournament.

Overall, the Zias’ 16-5 record for 1999-2000 is the best winning percentage (.762) in the history of the ENMU women’s tennis program.