April 15, 2009

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's women's tennis team opens play at the 2009 Atlantic 10 Championships this Friday at 1 p.m. versus Charlotte. The Hawks, the 12th seed in the tournament, will face the fifth-seeded 49ers at 1 p.m. at the Club 4 Life in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.

2009 Atlantic 10 Bracket

Last season, Saint Joseph's tied for 13th at the conference tournament, dropping matches to Duquesne (4-0) and St. Bonaventure (4-3). This season, expectations are higher under first-year head coach Ian Crookenden as he believes the Hawks have a chance to catch some teams off guard.

"We don't know Charlotte, so we are going in sight unseen. But likewise, they don't know us," he said. "I think if we have everyone healthy from our regular lineup, we got a chance at surprising the teams that haven't seen us. Our results (to date), have a lot of the time, been without the full squad."

Arguably the Hawks' top player, junior Jennifer Kedzierski has battled through some minor injuries this season to post a 12-9 individual mark. Playing at the top-flight for the second straight season, Kedzierski has climbed SJU's all-time wins chart and is currently tied for fourth with 34 career victories.

In just her second season on Hawk Hill, sophomore Maggie Mullaney has already proven to be one of the better underclassmen. Competing primarily at No. 2 singles, Mullaney has posted a 10-8 record, and will be making her second appearance for Saint Joseph's at the A-10 Championships.

Playing in her final matches as a Hawk, senior Krysta Contino will cap her career this weekend among SJU's all-time leaders in wins. Already the career leader in victories at No. 5 singles (17), Contino has posted a career-best 10 victories this season.

Having three letterwinners with previous A-10 Championship experience has been a great asset to Crookenden and the youthful Hawk squad.

"They (upperclassmen) are more familiar with the conditions, and at practice, I say, are these courts about the speed or faster or slower," Crookenden said. "They also have acknowledged their familiarity of the opponents and they're not scared of them. They recognize the talent and are going to give it a good shot."

Making their first appearances at this year's A-10 Championship will likely be sophomore Katy Borden and freshmen Laura Matz, Sally Kalani Stainier and Melissa Glick .

This season, Borden has competed in a career-high 20 matches, shifting between the bottom four flights, while Matz has transitioned to the collegiate game without much trouble, going 9-12 while playing primarily between the third and fourth singles flights. Beginning play in the spring semester, Stainier has been a welcomed addition, going 4-4 overall, while Glick has earned more playing time in the spring, competing in 10 singles matches.

Acknowledging the ideal conditions of the indoor courts at the Club 4 Life, Crookenden is eager for this year's Atlantic 10 Championships.

"I'm excited about the attitude of the team," he said. "I think we are going to go in and give a very fine showing, whether we win or lose."

Should the Hawks win their match versus Charlotte, they will advance to face the winner of the #4 Rhode Island/#13 St. Bonaventure matchup at 6 p.m. Friday. A loss would put the Hawks in the consolation bracket and face the loser of #3 Xavier/#14 La Salle at 8 a.m. Saturday. For up-to-date information, please check www.atlantic10.org and www.sjuhawks.com.