Aug. 7, 2002
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State men's and women's tennis teams, which both advanced to NCAA tournament action this past spring, combined to place nine student-athletes on the 2001-02 Mountain West Conference all-academic team. The 50-member squad consists of student-athletes who maintain a grade-point average of 3.0 or better, complete at least one semester at the school and are starters or significant contributors to the team.
The Aztec women's team placed five student-athletes on the team, four of whom earned academic recognition from the league a year ago. Senior Katey Clark-Becker, juniors Lindsey Hedberg, Katja Karrento and Silvia Tornier were named to the all-academic team for the second consecutive season. Joining the four repeat selections was freshman Indra Erichsen.
Karrento, an all-conference performer this past season, had the third highest grade-point average on the 35-member women's team. She posted a 3.98 GPA while majoring in biology.
Tornier, the conference player of the year who ended the season ranked 62nd in singles, received her second straight all-academic conference nod. Back in May, she was named to the Verizon Academic All-District VIII Women's At-Large Team
The women's team ended the 2002 season ranked 30th in the nation with an 18-9 record. The Aztecs completed an undefeated Mountain West Conference regular season and received an at-large selection into the NCAA tournament.
The Aztec men's program placed a conference tying-high four student-athletes on the 15-member men's team. Led by junior All-American Oliver Maiberger, the Aztecs had three repeat selections from last season. Joining Maiberger were senior Travis Hasson, junior Valentino Pest and sophomore Felix Hardt.
Hardt, who earned the all-academic team distinction for the first time in his career, had the second-highest grade-point average on the MWC men's team at 3.86.
The Aztec men's team completed the season with an 18-9 record. The Aztecs advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament and ended the campaign ranked 31st nationally. Two San Diego State players, Maiberger and Hardt, ended the season ranked in singles at 14 and 124, respectively. In addition the doubles teams of Maiberger and Ryan Redondo were ranked third and the duo of Pest and Hardt were ranked 49th.