News Release:
May 4, 2000
The Hyundai-California Community College Men's and Women's Dual Team Tennis State Championships will be decided this Thursday, May 11, at the Balboa Bay Club / Racquet Club in Newport Beach beginning at noon.
Fresno City College will be looking to repeat last year's winning effort on the women's side while College of the Desert will be vying for a three-peat on the men's side.
Fresno City College reached the state championship match with a 5-0 blanking of Cañada College on Wednesday (May 3) in Modesto. The Rams will have to wait until Tuesday night (May 9) to find out whom their opponent will be when Western State Conference co-champions Cuesta College and Santa Barbara City College battle for the Southern California regional title.
The Rams captured last year's state title with a 5-3 victory over Grossmont College. Sophomores Suzi Riley and Christy Fiorentino return from that state championship squad.
College of the Desert reached the state championship match by ousting Saddleback College, 6-0, in the Southern California regional finals on Wednesday (May 3). Temperatures in Palm Desert reportedly reached 105 F during the day and were even hotter on the Monterey Country Club courts.
"Playing here in Palm Desert was supposed to be an advantage for our team," Desert Athletic Director John Marman said. "But it was so hot that even our guys were uncomfortable. It was one of those days where everyone just felt like standing around in the shade."
With the victory, Desert will face Foothill College in the state championship match. Desert will be looking for its third consecutive state team title and sixth team title since 1992. Foothill last won state titles in 1994 and 1997.
Foothill reached the state title match with a similarly dominant 5-0 victory over Santa Rosa Junior College in the Northern California regional finals on Wednesday (May 3).
"I figured this is how it would be for the state title," Foothill coach Tom Chivington said.
Both the men's and women's dual team championship matches will take place simultaneously on the courts at the Balboa Bay Club / Racquet Club beginning at noon.
The individual singles and doubles tournament will begin on Friday, May 12, with the men's and women's singles titles being decided at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 13. The men's and women's doubles titles will be decided at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
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Contact: Jerry Hannula, State Tournament Publicist
Saddleback College Sports Information Director
Phone: (949) 582-4490
Fax: (949) 582-4224
