May 14, 2000

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest set a school record for victories in a season, but more importantly the Deacons advanced to the third round of the NCAA Women's Tennis Tournament with a 5-0 win over San Diego State here Sunday afternoon.

The third-ranked Deacons, 23-2 overall, advance to the round of 16 next week in Malibu (Calif.). Wake Forest will play nationally-ranked Tennessee on Thursday. A win over the Volunteers would send Wake Forest to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1998 and for just the second time in school history.

The Deacons, who are making their ninth straight NCAA Tournament appearance, were impressive against San Diego State, winning for the 20th time in their last 21 matches. The win over the Aztecs breaks the single-season record for wins previously held by the 1988 team, which went 22-6.

"I thought all six spots played well for us and that's what we've been looking for all season," Wake Forest coach Brian Fleishman said. "The girls really put it together today. They just wanted it more."

Wake Forest freshman Adria Engel, playing No. 1 singles, added to her remarkable freshman season. The Glen Ellyn (Ill.) product won 6-2, 6-2 over San Diego State's Whitney Wells, tying redshirted teammate Mariel Verban for the most single-season wins by a Deacon individual. Engel is 43-9, matching the win total put up by Verban last spring.

"I thought we came out fired up today," Engel said. "We're very excited (to advance to the round of 16). This is something we have worked for all season. We've had a lot of practice without playing any matches the last few weeks, so we were really looking forward to this weekend. I thought we played well."

Wake freshman Bea Bielik won her 23rd consecutive match, keeping her unbeaten for the spring, by beating San Diego State's Laura Aguero, 6-1, 6-1. Janet Bergman won at No. 3 singles, winning her ninth consecutive match with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Katja Karrento.

"Wake Forest has a very strong team," Aztec coach Peter Mattera said. "They are probably the best team we have played against this season. I can see them going all the way to the finals. But our kids competed hard and I'm proud of them. We had the lead in many of the games, but just couldn't put them away."

San Diego State concludes the season with a 16-10 dual record.

Wake's other winners were sophomore Maren Haus, who won 6-2, 6-3 over Lindsey Hedberg, and Annemarie Milton won 6-1, 6-2 versus Julie Chidley. Jackie Houston's match with Katey Becker was not completed.

"We are definitely excited (about advancing)," Bielik said. "We have worked really, really hard to get to this point. We can't be satisfied, though. Our goal is to win the championship."

Singles

Adria Engel (WF) def. Whitney Wells (SDS)       6-2, 6-2
Bea Bielik (WF) def. Laura Aguero (SDS)         6-1, 6-1
Janet Bergman (WF) def. Katja Karrento (SDS)	6-2, 6-1
Maren Haus (WF) def. Lindsey Hedberg (SDS)      6-2, 6-3
Jackie Houston (WF) vs. Katey Becker (SDS)      DNF
Annemarie Milton (WF) def. Julie Chidley (SDS)  6-1, 6-2