May 13, 2000

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - San Diego State won a grueling five-hour match in 90-degree heat here Saturday, 5-4 over South Florida in the opening round of the NCAA Women's Tennis Tournament.

The Aztecs (16-9 overall) advance to Sunday's second round against the Wake Forest/Virginia Tech winner. The winner of that match advances to the round of 16 next week in Malibu (Calif.).

"That was just a great win, a great college tennis match," San Diego State coach Peter Mattera said. "That's as close as you can get in college tennis and we were lucky to come out on top. Both teams, in that finals doubles match, had match points."

Aztec freshman Katja Karrento was key to San Diego State's fortunes. With singles play winding down, she won a hard-fought match over South Florida's Tina Harrison (2-6, 7-6{4}, 6-4) to knot the match at 3-3 heading into doubles play. Later, with the score tied 4-4, Karrento and doubles partner Lisa Papi came from behind to beat Genevieve Houle and Jackie Spicijaric (9-8{9}) to give the Aztecs a thrilling victory.

"Katja (Karrento) really gave us a spark heading into doubles with her win (in singles)," Mattera said. "That was a very important match."

Another Aztec freshman, Lindsey Hedberg, helped her team pick up two points. Playing at No. 4 singles, she defeated USF's Natalie Schwartz (7-6{5}, 6-2). In doubles play, she teamed with Julie Chidley for an 8-2 win over Schwartz and Ildiko Zubor.

South Florida (17-8) saw its four-match winning streak come to a disappointing end, despite picking up victories at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6 singles.

"We knew it was going to be a dogfight," South Florida coach Sherry Bedingfield said. "We've been in that position many times this season. Our kids gave a great effort, something they've done all year long."

San Diego State will play either third-ranked Wake Forest, the host school, or Virginia Tech in Sunday's second round. Action begins at 1:00 p.m. (Central).

Will fatigue be a factor for San Diego State on Sunday?

"We'll be tired," Mattera said, "but the emotion of winning today will outweigh any fatigue we have."

RESULTS

Singles
Katherine Tessier (SF) def. Whitney Wells (SDS) 6-4, 6-1
Genevieve Houle (SF) def. Laura Aguero (SDS) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
Katja Karrento (SDS) def. Tina Harrison (SF) 6-2, 6-1
Lindsey Hedberg (SDS) def. Natalie Schwartz (SF) 7-6 (5), 6-2
Katey Becker (SDS) def. Jackie Spicijaric (SF) 6-3, 6-1
Ildiko Zubor (SF) def. Julie Chidley (SDS) 6-2, 6-0

Doubles
Tessier and Harrison (SF) def. Wells and Aguero (SDS) 8-6
Lisa Papi and Karrento (SDS) def. Houles and Spicijaric 9-8 (9)
Chidley and Hedberg (SDS) def. Schwartz and Zubor (SF) 8-2