Jan. 15, 2007

PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. -- USC junior Lindsey Nelson has kicked off the spring tennis season in similar fashion to the way she closed down 2006. The NCAA singles finalist and Honda Award candidate joined her Trojan teammates at the National Collegiate Tennis Classic in Palm Springs, and came away as the singles champion. Nelson beat UCLA's Yasmin Schnack 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 in the singles final on Sunday to claim the NCTC crown.

Nelson also teamed up with Julie Smekodub in doubles action, reaching the doubles final to face another Bruin foe. The UCLA pair of Schnack and Riza Zalameda topped USC's Nelson/Smekodub in that doubles championship match 8-3.

Nelson grabbed some extra momentum on her way into the singles final by posting a solid 6-2, 6-2 semifinal win over Northwestern's Sam Murray. From there, Nelson was able to maintain her composure in the championship match, overcoming a 2-6 loss in the first set to pull out a comeback victory over Schnack with the 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 decision.

Nelson and the Women of Troy now turn their focus to dual match play, opening the spring action against Cal Poly at 1:30 p.m. on Friday (Jan. 19). After finishing 2005-06 ranked No. 3 in the nation, USC has earned the same rank in the national preseason poll. No. 3 USC is stocked with talent again this year, with freshman Sarah Fansler ranked in the nation's top-10 at No. 9 as the 2007 dual match season begins.