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Athletic Report
February 28, 2002

EASTERN NEW MEXICO DEFEATS LADY BUFFS, 6-3 Shorthanded Zias Await Return of Turner, Salazar
CANYON, TX – Eastern New Mexico University, ranked #12 in NCAA Division II, had to default in three flights, but still defeated Lone Star Conference foe West Texas A&M University, 6-3, Feb. 28 on the WTAMU campus. The Zias won despite the absence of Layla Turner, who has spent the past week at her parents’ home in Casa Grande, Ariz., due to an injury in her family, and Sarah Salazar, who hurt her leg during conditioning workouts earlier this week.

The Zias, now 1-0 against NCAA Division II competition, defaulted at #5 and #6 singles as well as at #3 doubles. Even so, Eastern won the match by sweeping the remaining four singles and two doubles flights. The match was the first in NCAA competition this spring for the Zias, who defeated three junior college opponents in a tournament Feb. 15-16, in Plano, Texas. The NCAA does not count matches against junior colleges.

Bethanie Nix (So., Spring, TX/Newman Smith H.S.) moved up a flight to win #1 singles over Heather McMahan, 6-0, 6-1. Lisa Weinman (Jr., Albuquerque, NM/West Mesa H.S.) won #2 singles, 6-1, 6-0, against Valerie Baker, and Janelle Sanchez (Fr., Albuquerque, NM/Cibola H.S.) defeated Jennifer Massey at #3 singles, 6-2, 6-3. Turner is normally at #1 singles with Salazar at #6 singles.

The Zias also won #4 singles, as Sarah Pennington (Sr., Sweetwater, TX/Sweetwater H.S.) swept past Megan Hand, 6-0, 6-0. Lisa Mickler of WTAMU won #5 singles by default, and Heather Chenault of WTAMU won #6 singles, also by default. Eastern defaulted at #3 doubles, but the Zias recorded victories at #1 and #2 doubles. Weinman and Pennington defeated McMahan and Massey, 8-1, in the #1 doubles match. Nix and Sanchez defeated Baker and Hand, at #2 doubles. ENMU’s #1 doubles team is usually Turner and Nix, while Sanchez and Salazar usually play #3 doubles.

ENMU was scheduled to host WTAMU and Central Oklahoma at the Zia Tennis Complex on Friday, May 1, followed by a home match with Cameron University on Saturday, May 2, but all three matches have been canceled due to the weather. As a result, the Zias’ next action is set for Mar. 7-9 in New Braunfels, Texas, where ENMU will face St. Mary’s University, St. Edwards University and Abilene Christian University. It is still uncertain when Turner and Salazar will return to action.

(#12) Eastern New Mexico 6, West Texas A&M 3
SINGLES: #1 -- Bethanie Nix (ENMU) defeated Heather McMahan (WTAMU), 6-0, 6-1 #2 -- Lisa Weinman (ENMU) defeated Valerie Baker (WTAMU), 6-1, 6-0 #3 -- Janelle Sanchez (ENMU) defeated Jennifer Massey (WTAMU), 6-2-, 6-3 #4 -- Sarah Pennington (ENMU) defeated Megan Hand (WTAMU), 6-0, 6-0 #5 -- Lisa Mickler (WTAMU) won by default #6 -- Heather Chenault (WTAMU) won by default

DOUBLES #1 -- Weinman and Pennington (ENMU) defeated McMahan and Massey (WTAMU), 8-1 #2 -- Nix and Sanchez (ENMU) defeated Baker and Hand (WTAMU), 8-2 #3 -- Mickler and Chenault (WTAMU) won by default ENMU’s Record: 1-0 NCAA Overall, 1-0 Spring