Nov. 6, 2003

WACO, Texas - Baylor women's tennis players Stephanie Balzert and Carolin Walter won two singles matches and a doubles match in the Fall Desert Collegiate Classic on Thursday at the Desert Princess Country Club.

Balzert, a sophomore, won her first match of the day when she beat Pepperdine's Lise Sissler in straight sets 6-1, 6-1. In other first round action, Walter, a freshman, lost her first collegiate match when she dropped a three set decision to Bernadetta Bayani, a senior from Southern Cailfornia. Match scores were 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (5). In the second round, which consisted of 24 players, Balzert was beaten by Melissa Esmero, a senior from Southern California, 6-3, 6-4. In the backdraw, Walter defeated UCLA freshman Nina Yaftali, 7-6 (6), 6-1. Since each player is guaranteed at least three matches, each will resume competition on Friday.

In the 16-team single elimination doubles draw, Balzert and Walter defeated a pair of UCLA freshmen, Laura Gordon and Feriel Esseghir, 8-5.

Play will resume at 11 a.m. (CST) on Friday.