Noriega Leads Aztecs to Quarterfinal Victory in WAC Tennis Championships

SAN DIEGO —  Julio Noriega, San Diego State’s No. 2 player, whipped John Steimle, 6-2, 6-1, in singles play and then combined with Jim Kellogg for a 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) doubles win to help the Aztec men’s tennis team to a 6-3 win over Air Force in the quarterfinals of the Western Athletic Conference men’s tennis championships Monday on the SDSU campus.

Eric Crabb, Brent Zimmerman and Kellogg won their matches in straight sets to help the Aztecs assume a 4-2 lead after singles play.

San Diego State, seeded No. 3, will face second-seeded Brigham Young at 2 p.m. in today’s semifinals. The Cougars defeated Colorado State, 9-0, in the first round.

Today’s other semifinal at 11 a.m. will pit six-time defending conference champion Utah against fourth-seeded New Mexico. The Utes had a bye in Monday’s first round, while the Lobos reached the semifinals with a 6-3 win over Hawaii.