Jan. 24, 2002
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This Week
San Diego State, ranked 44th in the spring preseason ITA poll, opens the 2002 campaign at home with a Saturday doubleheader against Saint Mary's at 8 a.m. PST and Cal Poly at 2 p.m. The women's tennis program opens its 26th season of play and ninth under head coach Peter Mattera. San Diego State returns five letterwinners off a squad that ended the 2000-01 season with a 17-8 record and a final ranking of 43rd. The Aztecs have advanced to the NCAA team tournament in three of the past four seasons. Juniors Lindsey Hedberg and Silvia Tornier, who split time at number one singles a year ago and formed the number one doubles pairing, lead a talented group of players returning this season. The Aztecs did not face either the Gales or the Mustangs last season. San Diego State does own a 1-0 series advantage over Saint Mary's but this will be the first meeting with Cal Poly. Following Saturday's doubleheader, San Diego State's next six matches will be against nationally-ranked teams, beginning with matches against 28th-ranked Washington State and top-ranked Stanford next Friday and Saturday.
All In The Family
Both the Saint Mary's and Cal Poly women's tennis programs are led by former Aztecs. Lisa Alipaz, a 1995 psychology graduate of San Diego State, coaches the Gales. Alipaz earned academic All-America honors and was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year while a member of the Aztec tennis team. Although Cal Poly coach Hugh Bream is a graduate of Cal Poly, he is familiar with San Diego State. The second-year coach of the Mustangs was the head coach of the Aztec men's program from 1988-93.
Fun With Numbers
In addition to a national team ranking of 44, the ITA spring preseason poll also listed the doubles team of Hedberg and Tornier as the 60th-ranked team in the country. Last season, the duo compiled a 20-10 record, including a 14-9 record at number-one singles.