May 17, 1998

LAS VEGAS - Top-seeded Pepperdine had little problem with second-seeded Southern California and became the 1998 NCAA West Region women's tennis champions with a 5-1 win on the campus of UNLV Sunday.

The 12th-ranked Waves improved to 22-5 overall and earned a spot in the 16-team NCAA finals scheduled for May 21-24 in South Bend, Ind.

Pepperdine, disregarding hot and windy conditions, got a big win at the top spot when 30th-ranked Angela Lawrence won a showdown with 38th-ranked Ditta Huber, 7-5, 6-2. The Waves then got victories from Zsofia Csapo, Nadine Rastetter and Annabel Rognon. The clincher came at the fourth spot when Karoline Borgersen came back to nip Jacqui Boyd 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, to avoid doubles play.

"We beat (USC) 5-4 earlier this year so I expected it to be just as close this time around," Pepperdine Head Coach Gualberto Escudero said. "I was very impressed with my No. 1 player (Lawrence). She had a great tournament. She lost to Huber last time but this time it all worked to perfection. Also, our number five (Rognon) and six (Rastetter) players were so dependable all week long."

The 21st-ranked Trojans, who got their one point from a straight-set win by Kara Warkentin, finished the year at 13-11.

"It's pretty simple," USC Head Coach Richard Gallien said. "They just played better than we did. We didn't play badly, they were just better. I'm very proud of this team. We started the season at No. 31 and got all the way to regional finals with just six players. So I can't say I'm disappointed."

1998 NCAA WEST REGION WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP--FINALPEPPERDINE 5, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 1At Fertitta Tennis Complex, Las Vegas
SINGLES-1.  Angela Lawrence (PEPP) def. Ditta Huber (USC)       7-5, 6-22.  Zsofia Csapo (PEPP) def. Veronika Safarova (USC)    6-4, 6-43.  Karoline Borgersen (PEPP) def. Jacqui Boyd (USC)    4-6, 7-5, 6-3*4.  Kara Warkentin (USC) def. Ahn Nguyen (PEPP)     7-5, 6-35.  Annabel Rognon (PEPP) def. Karolina Bakalarova (USC)    6-2, 6-36.  Nadine Rastetter (PEPP) def. Amber Basica (USC)     6-2, 7-5
DOUBLES--Cancelled*Clinching Match