Athletic Report
May 6, 2000

ZIAS WIN MIDWEST REGIONAL TITLE
WITH 5-1 WIN OVER NORTHERN KENTUCKY
ENMU Advances to National Finals
EDMOND, OK — The Eastern New Mexico University women’s tennis team, competing in its fourth consecutive NCAA Division II National Tournament, claimed its first ever regional title May 6, as the Zias defeated Northern Kentucky, 5-1, to win the Midwest Regional in Edmond, Okla. The Zias, ranked #13 in NCAA Division II, improved to 16-4 on the season and advanced to the National Finals, May 11-14 in Pensacola, Fla. Northern Kentucky ended its season at 14-4.

The Zias, who reached the regional finals in 1997 and 1999, were the top-seeded team for this year’s regional in Edmond. ENMU defeated host Central Oklahoma, 5-2, in the semifinals May 5 to reach the title match. Northern Kentucky, the #3 seed in the regional, reached the finals by upsetting #2-seeded Truman State (Mo.)., 5-2.

ENMU won two of the three doubles matches against NKU to take a 2-1 lead. Layla Turner (So., Casa Grande, NM/Casa Grande Union H.S.) and Julie Stiles (Sr., Roswell, NM/ Goddard H.S.) easily won #1 doubles, defeating Jamie O’Hara and Claudia Ruehl, 8-1. Turner and Stiles are ranked #12 nationally in doubles. Lisa Weinman (Fr., Albuquerque, NM/West Mesa H.S.) and her #2 doubles partner, Sarah Pennington (So., Sweetwater, TX/Sweetwater H.S.) gave ENMU another victory by defeating Christina Dausch and Lauren Spears, 8-2.

Northern Kentucky claimed its only win of the match with an 8-4 victory by Amity Chapman and Joceline McQueen at #3 doubles over Mandy Wells (Fr., Pampa, TX/Pampa H.S.) and Sarah Salazar (Fr., Albuquerque, NM/St. Pius X H.S.). Turner, ranked 29th nationally in singles, won the #1 singles match, 6-3, 6-3, over O’Hara. Stiles defeated Spears, 6-1, 6-0, at #2 singles and Pennington downed Chapman in three sets, 6-1, 1-6, 6-0 at #4 singles.

The other singles matches were stopped once ENMU clinched the title. Eastern New Mexico is one of 16 teams which will compete at the National Finals. The other 15 regional sites are scheduled to conclude either today or tomorrow (Sunday, May 7).

Pairings for the first round of the National Finals on Thursday, May 11, will be announced late Sunday, May 7. The NCAA Division II Championship match is scheduled for Sunday, May 14.