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MWC Champion San Diego State Men's Tennis Team Learns NCAA Draw
Aztecs in postseason for the fourth time in five years; Maiberger earns spot in NCAA singles and doubles draw
May 2, 2002 SAN DIEGO - The Mountain West Conference champion San Diego State men's tennis team will play Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Hampton in the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Championship on Saturday, May 11 in Los Angeles.
The 64-team field was announced Thursday afternoon by the NCAA selection committee which also revealed the 16 teams that would serve as first and second-round hosts for the tournament. Fourth-seeded UCLA will serve as the region host and will meet UC Santa Barbara in the first round of the tournament, with the winners of the two first-round matches scheduled to play Sunday, May 12.
The Aztecs, ranked 29th nationally, are 17-8 overall and have won seven consecutive matches. San Diego State faced the Bruins earlier this season, with UCLA posting a 5-2 victory on Feb. 19 in Los Angeles. San Diego State is in the tournament field for the fourth time in the last five years.
"Obviously these are four quality teams," Aztec head coach John Nelson said. "We are playing quite well right now and we are looking forward to the opportunity to compete. Playing close to home and not having to worry about flying is certainly a bonus."
The Aztecs' first-round match against Hampton will reunite Nelson with the team he defeated to claim the Division II National Championship in 1992. Nelson coached UC Davis to the national championship, defeating the Pirates 5-1 in the final.
The NCAA also announced the preliminary singles and doubles qualifiers for the individual national championship to be held in College Station, Texas in late May. Junior Oliver Maiberger, who earned All-America honors at the tournament last season by advancing to the third round, will play in the singles draw. Maiberger is ranked 26th nationally and owns a record of 26-8 overall. The third-ranked doubles team of Maiberger and Ryan Redondo will participate in the 32-team doubles competition.
SDSU Men's Previous NCAA Tournament Appearances
1998 Region VII - New Mexico 4, San Diego State 2
1999 First Round - San Diego State 4, Tulsa 1
Second Round - UCLA 4, San Diego State 1
2000 First Round - San Diego State 4, Washington 3
Second Round - San Diego State 4, Pepperdine 2
Round of 16 - Virginia Commonwealth 4, San Diego State 3
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