Athletic Report
April 19, 2001

ENMU DEFEATS CENTRAL OKLAHOMA IN LONE STAR CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — The Eastern New Mexico University women’s tennis team, ranked #24 in NCAA Division II, defeated the University of Central Oklahoma, 5-1, in the quarterfinals of the Lone Star Conference Tennis Championships, April 19 in Oklahoma City, Okla. ENMU won 2 of 3 doubles flights, then captured three singles titles, to advance to the semifinals, while improving to 10-5 overall. UCO fell to 11-13 on the season.

ENMU will take on Northeastern State University (Okla.) on Friday, April 20 at 8:00 a.m. (MDT). Northeastern State defeated Tarleton State University, 6-1, in the quarterfinals. The other semifinal pairs Abilene Christian University against Cameron University, also at 8:00 a.m. (MDT).

Against UCO, the Zias won #1 and #2 doubles to take an early lead. Layla Turner (Jr., Casa Grande, AZ/Casa Grande Union H.S.) and Bethanie Nix (Fr., Spring, TX/Newman Smith H.S.) defeated Marina Erchova and Stephanie Johns at #1 doubles, 8-1.

Eastern’s #2 doubles team of Lisa Weinman (So., Albuquerque, NM/West Mesa H.S.) and Sarah Pennington (Jr., Sweetwater, TX/Sweetwater H.S.) defeated Abby Frick and Jennifer Jones, 8-2. Central Oklahoma claimed its only win of the day at #3 doubles. Christy Jones and Angie Woodard edged ENMU’s Ananda Kautz (Fr., Rio de Janeiro, BRA/Pleasant Valley H.S., CA) and Sarah Salazar (So., Belen, NM/St. Pius X H.S.), 8-6.

Wins at #3, #4 and #6 singles clinched the triumph for ENMU. Nix won #3 singles, 6-0, 6-3, over Frick. Kautz slipped past Jennifer Jones, 7-5, 6-3, at #4 singles, and Salazar quickly defeated Christy Jones, 6-1, 6-2, at #6 singles. The remaining singles matches were not completed once the Zias secured the overall victory.

In Friday’s semifinal, the Zias will seek to avenge a 7-2 loss to Northeastern State on March 10 in Wichita Falls, Texas. ENMU faced Northeastern without Pennington in the lineup at #5 singles and #2 doubles. She was unable to compete due to a leg injury, but has since returned to action.