BY JOHN MARTIN
It’s always a good idea to remember success. Aztec teams have won their share in the century since a campus tennis club formed in 1922.
In 2000, SDSU’s men’s team won the NCAA Regional Championship and reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in Athens, GA.
The tennis Gods smiled as the Aztecs scored two NCAA Regional upsets, defeating Washington, 4-3, and Pepperdine, 4-2.
On the Internet, the Aztec Athletic Department explained: “The Aztecs’ 17 wins are the most ever by a John Nelson-coached SDSU squad, the most at the school since the men went 18-4 in 1993.
“No team, at least in the West, was hotter over the final six weeks of the year than the Aztecs.”
The press release continued: “San Diego State headed to Athens with wins in 11 of its last 12 contests and won 14-of-16 dating to early March.
“The Aztecs won eight in a row to close out the regular season and were in the midst of a nine-match winning streak before being upset by New Mexico in the Mountain West Conference Tournament final in Albuquerque, Seven of SDSU’s 17 wins that year were shutouts.
“The Aztecs had been No. 37 in the preseason rankings, but were without the services of their top three players to open the season. At season’s end, they ranked 19th.”
Alex Waske of Germany led the Aztec men in 2000. He was Mountain West Player of the Year and won All-American honors.
Waske played on the ATP tour, reached the doubles semifinals of the French and Australian Opens, played German Davis Cup, and now operates the Waske Tennis University in Frankfurt..
Among his teammates were Oliver Maiberger, Adam Webster, Valentino Pest, and Matt Bere. The assistant coach was Gene Carswell, now in his 18th year as head coach.
At ATR’s request, the 2000 Aztec head coach, John Nelson reflected on his experience that year.
“Our whole operating budget for equipment and travel was $12,500!” Nelson said. “We only had four in-state scholarships. I am proud of the team’s accomplishments. Most teams had 10 times the operating budget and four full out of state scholarships!
“Our team bought into the discipline and went for it,” Nelson said..
“To lose in the last match in the 3rd set to the team that went all the way to the (NCAA) finals was a great run.”
In the Round of 16, the Aztecs fell 4-3 to VCU, which then defeated Illinois (ranked 6th) and Tennessee (ranked 10th) by identical 4-3 scores before losing to top-seeded Stanford, 4-2.
