Athletic Report
April 18, 2002

ZIAS DEFEAT CENTRAL OKLAHOMA IN LSC TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL MATCH
ABILENE, TX – Eastern New Mexico University won two of three doubles flights, then added victories at #2, #3 and #5 singles to defeat the University of Central Oklahoma, 5-2, in the quarterfinals of the Lone Star Conference Women’s Tennis Tournament, April 18 at Abilene Christian University. UCO won #1 doubles and #4 singles to score its only points. The matches at #1 and #6 singles were not completed when ENMU clinched the overall victory.

ENMU, ranked #23 in NCAA Division II, improved to 13-2 on the season. UCO fell to 9-7 on the season. In first round action, Southeastern Oklahoma defeated West Texas A&M, 5-1, and Tarleton State downed East Central, 5-2, to reach the quarterfinals. In addition to Eastern’s win over UCO, other quarterfinal matches ended with Abilene Christian defeating SE Oklahoma, 5-0, Midwestern State defeating Cameron, 5-1, and Northeastern State defeating Tarleton State, 5-2.

The Zias will take on defending LSC champion Northeastern State, ranked #17 in NCAA Division II, in a semifinal match on Friday, April 19, at 7:30 a.m. (MDT). Abilene Christian, ranked #7 (tie), and Midwestern State, ranked #40 (tie), will meet in the other semifinal match. The LSC Championship match is set for 12:30 p.m. (MDT) on Friday. Against UCO in the quarterfinals, the Zias won #2 doubles and #3 doubles to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Bethanie Nix (So., Spring, TX/Newman Smith H.S.) and Janelle Sanchez (Fr., Albuquerque, NM/Cibola H.S.) of ENMU were victorious in the #2 doubles match, 8-3, over Christy Jones and Jennifer Jones. At #3 doubles, the Zias received a narrow victory from Layla Turner (Sr., Casa Grande, AZ/Casa Grande Union H.S.) and Sarah Salazar (Jr., Belen, NM/St. Pius X H.S.), as they defeated Abby Frick and Stephanie Johns, 9-7.

The Bronchos’ triumph at #1 doubles was earned by Marina Erchova and Ignacia Marin over Lisa Weinman (Jr., Albuquerque, NM/West Mesa H.S.) and Sarah Pennington (Sr., Sweetwater, TX/Sweetwater H.S.). Erchova and Marin won 8-6. Nix was victorious for ENMU at #2 singles, taking a 6-3, 6-3 win over Marin. Weinman defeated Frick, 6-3, 6-2, at #3 singles, and Pennington shut downed Christy Jones, 6-0, 6-0, at #5 singles.UCO’s only singles victory was recorded by Johns, who defeated Sanchez, 6-2, 6-1, at #4 singles.

(#23) Eastern New Mexico University 5, University of Central Oklahoma, 2
SINGLES
#1 -- Match not completed (Layla Turner, ENMU, vs. Marina Erchova, UCO)
#2 -- Bethanie Nix (ENMU) defeated Ignacio Marin (UCO), 6-3, 6-3
#3 -- Lisa Weinman (ENMU) defeated Abby Frick (UCO), 6-3, 6-2
#4 -- Stephanie Johns (UCO) defeated Janelle Sanchez (ENMU), 6-2, 6-1
#5 -- Sarah Pennington (ENMU) defeated Christy Jones (UCO), 6-0, 6-0
#6 -- Match not completed (Sarah Salazar, ENMU, vs. Jennifer Jones, UCO)
DOUBLES
#1 -- Erchova and Marin (UCO) defeated Weinman and Pennington (ENMU), 8-6
#2 -- Nix and Sanchez (ENMU) defeated Christy Jones and Jennifer Jones (UCO), 8-3 #3 -- Turner and Salazar (ENMU) defeated Frick and Johns (UCO), 9-7