April 21, 2009
SAN DIEGO -
Complete Release in PDF Format
Aztecs To Open Play At Mountain West Conference Championships
The San Diego State women's tennis team will travel to Albuquerque, N.M. to open play in the Mountain West Conference Championships. The third-seeded Aztecs will face sixth-seeded Utah on Thursday, April 23, at 10 a.m. MT, in the second quarterfinal match. If SDSU defeats the Utes, the Aztecs will then move on to play the winner of the TCU-Colorado State match on Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m. MT, in the first of two semifinal matches. The championship match for the tournament will be held on Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m. MT.
Scouting The Utes
No. 67 Utah's last outing came against San Diego State on April 18 in Las Vegas. The Aztecs defeated the Utes, 5-2, in the both school's final regular season match. Matt Iandolo is in his second season leading the team.
Series History vs. Utah
SDSU has taken 18 of the 20 all-time meetings between the two MWC schools. Most recently San Diego State downed Utah, 5-2, on April 18 while last season the Aztecs fell to the Utes, 4-3.
Looking For MWC Success
The Aztecs will be looking to advance in the Mountain West Conference Championships this year as SDSU has been knocked out of the tournament in the first round for the past three seasons. Each of the last three years, New Mexico has been the opponent to top San Diego State. The last time the Aztecs made it past their first match came in 2005 when they defeated Utah, 4-1. SDSU would go on to fall to BYU, 4-2, in its second match of the tournament.
Aztecs In The Polls
San Diego State is currently ranked 41st in the nation, according to FILA Collegiate Tennis Rankings released April 7 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). The doubles team of SDSU senior Holly Bagshaw and sophomore Julia Trunk are currently ranked No. 69.
Ellison's Proving Excellent
Freshman sisters, Sierra and Roxanne Ellison, have combined to become a dominating force in doubles tennis for San Diego State. The Ellisons have tallied an impressive 17-7 dual match record and a 20-10 record overall in doubles, while combining for a 6-2 record in MWC conference play. The sisters have been on a roll recently, taking 12 out of their last 15 outings.
Successful Seniors
Aztec seniors Holly Bagshaw, Esther Cadua and Milana Yusupov are enjoying their last year on The Mesa, each tallying singles records over .500 this season. Bagshaw is 17-14 overall and 12-10 in dual matches this season. Cadua is 17-16 overall, 12-11 in dual matches and 6-2 in MWC. Rounding out the group, Yusupov is 16-13 overall, 11-8 in dual matches and 4-1 in MWC.
The Aztec Coaches
Peter Mattera is in his 28th season at San Diego State and 16th as head coach of the Scarlet and Black. In 15 seasons, the Aztecs' mentor has guided SDSU to 10 postseason appearances, compiling a record of 245-165 (.596) in the process. Equally impressive is the fact that 13 of his 15 squads have finished with an overall record of .500 or better despite playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation on an annual basis. Lindsey Gamp is in her fourth season as the Aztecs' assistant coach. A four-year letterwinner at SDSU (2000-03), Gamp played on three NCAA tournament teams and guided the Aztecs to a pair of Mountain West Conference regular season titles and a MWC championship crown in 2003.
Last Time Out With The Aztecs
San Diego State traveled to Sin City to face 65th-ranked Utah in its regular season finale. The Aztecs defeated the Utes, 5-2, to improve their overall season record to 17-7 and 6-2 in MWC standings.