Athletic Report
May 4, 2002

ZIAS FALL TO ABILENE CHRISTIAN 5-1 IN NCAA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
ABILENE, TX – Abilene Christian University edged Eastern New Mexico University in two of three doubles matches, and the Wildcats went on to defeat the Zias, 5-1, in the NCAA Division II Central Regional Tournament, May 4 in Abilene, Texas. ACU improved to 23-5 on the season and advanced into the 2002 NCAA Division II National Finals, set for May 9-12 in Kansas City, Mo. ENMU concluded the season at 14-4.

The Wildcats won #1 doubles, with the team of Lacy Johnson and Kristin Chumley slipping past Lisa Weinman (Jr., Albuquerque, NM/West Mesa H.S.) and Sarah Pennington (Sr., Sweetwater, TX/Sweetwater H.S.), 8-6. ACU also won #2 doubles, as Sarah Taweel and Andi Wildner edged Bethanie Nix (So., Spring, TX/Newman Smith H.S.) and Janelle Sanchez (Fr., Albuquerque, NM/Cibola H.S.), 8-6.

ENMU achieved a victory 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.) held off Joy Israel and Rachel Taylor, 8-5.Turner and Salazar were 11-0 at #3 doubles this season. Turner, ranked #37 in NCAA Division II, and Johnson, ranked #49, did not finish their head-to-head match at #1 singles.

ACU won #2, #4 and #6 singles to end the overall match before competition at #1, #3 and #5 singles was completed. Taweel defeated Nix in a challenging match at #2 singles, winning 6-4 in the first set and 7-5 in the second set. Summer Beasley claimed #4 singles for ACU with a 7-5, 6-1, victory over Sanchez. Ashley Hawk won #6 singles against Salazar, 6-0, 6-1.

Eastern qualified for the NCAA National Tournament for the sixth consecutive season. The Zias defeated Midwestern State, 5-2, in the opening round of the Central Regional to earn a berth in the Regional title match for the fifth time in six years. ENMU won the Midwest Regional in Edmond, Okla., in 1999-00 to advance to the National Finals.

The Zias concluded the 2001-02 season with a 14-4 overall record (.778) for the best winning percentage in team history. The previous record was held by the 1999-00 team, which finished the season at 16-5 (.762). The 2001-02 squad also set an ENMU record for fewest losses. Eastern has been ranked in the Top 30 the past four years.

The Zias were #19 in 1998-99, #11 in 1999-00 and #26 in 2000-01. This year, the Zias were ranked #29 in the final regular season Division II rankings.

(#15) Abilene Christian University 5, (#29) Eastern New Mexico University 1
SINGLES
#1 -- Match not completed (Layla Turner, ENMU, vs. Lacy Johnson, ACU)
#2 -- Sarah Taweel (ACU) defeated Bethanie Nix (ENMU), 6-4, 7-5
#3 -- Match not completed (Lisa Weinman, ENMU, vs. Kristin Chumley, ACU)
#4 -- Summer Beasley (ACU) defeated Janelle Sanchez (ENMU), 7-5, 6-1
#5 -- Match not completed (Sarah Pennington, ENMU, vs.Rachel Taylor, ACU)
#6 -- Ashley Hawk (ACU) defeated Sarah Salazar (ENMU), 6-0, 6-1
DOUBLES
#1 -- Johnson and Chumley (ACU) defeated Weinman and Pennington (ENMU), 8-6
#2 -- Taweel and Andi Wildner(ACU) defeated Nix and Sanchez (ENMU), 8-6
#3 -- Turner and Salazar (ENMU) defeated Joy Israel and Taylor (ACU), 8-5