May 11, 2004
Complete Women's Tennis Release in PDF Format
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Complete Women's Tennis Results in PDF FormatDownload Free Acrobat Reader
ON TAP: For the 19th time in school history, the Arizona State women's tennis team (6-14) will compete in the NCAA first and second round regionals. The Sun Devils, the No. 3 seed, will travel to Austin, Texas to face No. 2 seed and No. 19 Louisiana State (18-8) in a first-round match up on Saturday, May 15 at 11:00 a.m. (Central time).
REGIONAL INFO.: Host and the regions top-seed Texas (22-5) is the No. 13 seed (out of 16 seeded teams) in the NCAA Tournament and will face No. 4 seed Texas-Arlington (18-6) in their first-round dual at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. The two first-round winners will meet on Sunday at noon in the round of 32 (second round). Sunday's winner will advance to the 2004 NCAA National Championships (round of 16), held Thursday-Sunday, May 20-23, at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga., on the campus of the University of Georgia. For live scoring of the duals, log onto www.texassports.com/mainpages/tn_index.html.
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS HISTORY: This is Arizona State's 19th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and holds a 19-18 overall record ... before the current NCAA system went into place in 1982, ASU won the national championship in 1971, 1972 and 1974 ... ASU has advanced out of its regional the last five years by a combined score of 50-6 ... ASU's best finish in the current format: Eight quarterfinals (1986, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001).
HEAD COACH Sheila McInerney: Sheila McInerney is in her 20th season after leading last year's team to its seventh consecutive (15 of the past 16 seasons) NCAA Round of 16 appearance and a No. 17 national ranking. McInerney also guided Arizona State to eight quarterfinal appearances in her tenure, and has made the NCAA tournament in 19 of her 20 seasons. The 2003 season saw McInerney accomplish another milestone in her illustrious career, earning her 300th career win. She also coached another player to All-American acclaim and helped place four players on the Pac-10 All-Academic teams, tying a school record for most student-athletes selected. McInerney, who owns a career record of 307-193, posted three 20-win seasons (1986, '90, '01) to her credit and guided the Sun Devils to 17 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. The Sun Devils have reached the NCAA quarterfinals eight times under McInerney and have finished in the top-10 five of the past seven seasons and an astounding 13 times in her 19 seasons.
YOUNG/NEW FACES: McInerney welcomed six freshmen players to this year's team with many of them having contributed in both the singles and doubles lineups: Ebru Burduroglu (Istanbul, Turkey), Sabrina Capannolo (Las Vegas, Nev.), Wendy Pilecka (Pribram Czech Rep.), Kady Pooler (Laguna Niguel, Calif.), Rebecca Rankin (Purley, England), Vana Tomas (Split Croatia).
SCHEDULE STRENGTH: Once again, ASU faced a strong non-conference slate (maybe the strongest ever) along with the always powerful Pac-10 Conference. Sixteen of ASU's 20 opponents earned NCAA bids this year, while 10 of ASU's opponents are currently in the top-25, including seven of the top-12 teams. Additionally, the Pac-10 comprises four of the nation's top-10 teams.
DEVILS IN THE RANKINGS: For the first time since the 1996 season, the Sun Devils are not ranked in the top-25 as they come in at No. 44 in the May 3rd Omni Hotels Collegiate Tennis Rankings, administered by the ITA. Junior Joslynn Burkett continues in the singles rankings at No. 95, while the doubles team of Lauren Colalillo and Kady Pooler check in at No. 57.