May 2, 2002
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State women's tennis team earned its 16th NCAA Tournament appearance in school history on Thursday when the NCAA announced that the Aztecs will battle Arizona in the first round of the national tournament on Saturday, May 11 in Tempe, Ariz.
The Aztecs, which posted an 18-8 record this season and are currently ranked 26th nationally, will meet the 19th-ranked Wildcats for the 17th time in school history, with the Aztecs owning a 12-4 series lead. The other first round match in Tempe, will feature 11th-seed and region host Arizona State playing Southwest Missouri State. The winners of the two first-round matches will meet on Sunday, May 12.
"We are extremely excited to be back in the NCAA Tournament," Aztec coach Peter Mattera said. "This was one of our major goals this season and we are looking forward to the opportunity to play in the tournament. I think we have the type of players that will not be satisfied with just making it but will want to perform well. I believe that all four of these teams are evenly matched and that this will be a competitive field."
San Diego State, which made the tournament field for the sixth time in the last seven seasons, ended the season strong by winning six of its final seven matches en route to posting a 13-2 record down the stretch.