Men's Tennis

Aztec Tennis Programs Place League-Best 12 Student-Athletes on Academic Team

July 24, 2001

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State men's and women's tennis programs placed a conference-high 12 student-athletes on the 2001 Mountain West Conference all-academic tennis team. The 58-member squad consists of student-athletes who maintain a grade-point average of 3.0 or better, completed at least one semester at the school and are a starter or significant member of the team.

The Aztec women's tennis program placed seven student-athletes on the team, the most by any men's or women's program. Senior Whitney Wells, juniors Julie Chidley and Katey Becker, sophomores Lindsey Hedberg, Katja Karrento and Silvia Tornier and freshman Erin Polowski earned league recognition.

Karrento, an all-conference performer from this season who also earned academic accolades last season, had the second highest grade-point average on the 39-member women's team. She posted a 3.97 GPA while majoring in biology.

The women's team ended the season ranked 43rd nationally, with a 17-8 dual record. The Aztecs finished second in the Mountain West Conference regular season and lost to Brigham Young, 4-3, in the finasl of the conference championship.

The Aztec men's program placed a conference-high five student-athletes on the 19-member men's team. San Diego State sophomore Oliver Maiberger, who earned All-America honors this season after advancing to the third round of the NCAA singles draw, earned a spot on the team. Joining the sophomore on the all-academic squad, were senior Shawn Hiatt, juniors Travis Hasson and Khalid Naffa and sophomore Valentino Pest.

The men finished the season 14-11 overall and won the Mountain West Conference regular season title with a perfect 5-0 league record. The men's team finished the season ranked 59th nationally.