Athletic Report
April 19, 2002

ZIAS FALL IN SEMIFINALS OF LONE STAR CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
Northeastern State Remains Undefeated With 5-1 Win
ABILENE, TX – Northeastern State University improved to 23-0 with a 5-1 victory over Eastern New Mexico University in the semifinals of the Lone Star Conference Women’s Tennis Tournament, April 19 at Abilene Christian University. The Lady Reds entered the LSC Tournament ranked #17 in NCAA Division II. ENMU, ranked #23, fell to 13-3 on the season. In the other semifinal, Abilene Christian University defeated Midwestern State University, 5-0, to improve to 20-5 on the season.

The Wildcats are ranked #7 in NCAA Division II. Northeastern State, the defending LSC champion, will take on Abilene Christian for the 2002 LSC title later today (April 19). Match time is set for 1:30 p.m. (CDT).

The Lady Reds held a 2-1 lead at the conclusion of the doubles flights. At #1 doubles, NSU picked up an 8-4 win, as Evelina Akkers and Neus Barbera battled past ENMU’s Lisa Weinman (Jr., Albuquerque, NM/West Mesa H.S.) and Sarah Pennington (Sr., Sweetwater, TX/Sweetwater H.S.). NSU also won #2 doubles, with Zorana Stefanovic and Berit Itschert defeating Bethanie Nix (So., Spring, TX/Newman Smith H.S.) and Janelle Sanchez (Fr., Albuquerque, NM/Cibola H.S.), 8-1.

Eastern’s only victory during the match, which started at 8:30 a.m. (CDT), was at #3 doubles. Layla Turner (Sr., Casa Grande, AZ/Casa Grande Union H.S.) and Sarah Salazar (Jr., Belen, NM/St. Pius X H.S.) slipped past Maja Nesic and Amanda Jones, 8-5. Northeastern State ended the match by winning #1, #2, and #3 singles.

In the top flight, Stefanovic, ranked #9 in NCAA Division II, claimed a 6-1, 6-3 triumph over Turner, ranked #37. At #2 singles, Akkers defeated Nix, 6-2, 6-2. In the #3 singles match, Barbera won the first set, 6-1, then held of Weinman, 6-4 in the second set. The Zias are likely to be included in the NCAA Division II National Tournament field when regional sites and pairings are announced on Monday, April 22.

ENMU and other members of the LSC are in the Central Region, along with teams in the Heartland Conference and area independents. The Central Region will have two Regional Tournaments, with both champions advancing to the National Finals in Kansas City, Mo.

LSC TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL
(#17) Northeastern State University 5, (#23) Eastern New Mexico University 1
SINGLES
#1 -- Zorana Stefanovic (NSU) defeated Layla Turner (ENMU), 6-1, 6-3
#2 -- Evelina Akkers (NSU) defeated Bethanie Nix (ENMU), 6-2, 6-2
#3 -- Neus Barbera (NSU) defeated Lisa Weinman (ENMU), 6-1, 6-4
#4 -- Match not completed (Janelle Sanchez, ENMU, vs. Berit Itschert, NSU)
#5 -- Match not completed (Sarah Pennington, ENMU, vs. Jennie Howard, NSU)
#6 -- Match not completed (Sarah Salazar, ENMU, vs. Maja Nesic, NSU)
DOUBLES
#1 -- Akkers and Barbera (NSU) defeated Weinman and Pennington (ENMU), 8-4
#2 -- Stefanovic and Itschert (NSU) defeated Nix and Sanchez (ENMU), 8-1
#3 -- Turner and Salazar (ENMU) defeated Nesic and Amanda Jones (NSU), 8-5