FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4-12-00

AASU Hosts 2000 Peach Belt Athletic Conference Tennis Championships
Pirates Top Seed In Both Men's, Women's Draws

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The 2000 Peach Belt Athletic Conference Tennis Championships hold first serve on Thursday, April 13, at the Armstrong Atlantic State University Tennis Complex with the host Pirates as the top seed in both the men's and women's draws.

The No. 6-ranked AASU Lady Pirates compiled a perfect 11-0 record in the PBAC regular season and look for a share of their eighth consecutive PBAC women's tennis title. The Lady Pirates are led by freshman Stephanie Kovacic, ranked No. 3 in the nation in singles, and sophomore Michaela Kratochvilova, ranked No. 13. Together, the duo form the nation's No. 3-ranked doubles team as well.

North Florida, ranked No. 7 in the nation, will challenge to snap the Lady Pirates' championship streak. The second seed in the tournament, UNF is led by Claudia Schiffczyk (No. 18 singles) and Tranae Fatu (No. 26 singles). The Lady Ospreys' only loss during the PBAC campaign was a 6-3 decision at AASU on March 31. Other nationally-ranked squads who will compete in the tournament include No. 14 Columbus State, No. 16 Georgia College & State, No. 21 Kennesaw State and No. 27 USC Aiken. Women's first-round play begins on Thursday, April 13 at Noon.

The top seed in the men's draw, No. 3-ranked AASU, also compiled an undefeated record in the regular season, going 8-0 against the PBAC opponents. Standing in the way to their first conference title, however, is No. 8-ranked Lander University, the eight-time defending PBAC champion and seven-time defending NCAA Division II champion. The Senators finished the regular season with a 5-1 mark in PBAC play, which seeds them third, behind No. 6-ranked Francis Marion, who finished 6-1 in the conference. Francis Marion and Lander did not face each other during the regular season.

Other nationally-ranked teams who will compete in the men's draw include No. 18 North Florida, No. 20 Columbus State, No. 22 Augusta State, No. 24 Georgia College & State and No. 27 USC Aiken. Eight of the nine schools that sponsor men's tennis in the PBAC are nationally-ranked.

The men's tournament begins with the 8/9 seed match on Thursday, April 13 at 9:00 a.m., then the quartefinal matches begin on Friday, April 14 at 11:00 a.m. The PBAC Championships matches will be on Sunday, April 16, with the women's championship at 11:00 a.m. and the men's championship at 3:30 p.m.

- Pirates -