April 19, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - Posting a banner season already, the Saint Joseph's women's tennis team looks to ride its successful year into this weekend's Atlantic 10 Championships, April 20-22, at the Club 4 Life in Monroeville, PA. The Hawks, seeded 13th, open play Friday at 10:30 a.m. versus fourth-seeded Massachusetts.

Having lost two of its top three players from the 2005-06 season, Saint Joseph's inserted a group of talented newcomers to a veteran squad and posted arguably the program's best season, recording a record 11 victories heading into this weekend.

Individually, the Hawks (11-8) have been led by newcomers junior Stephania Velazquez and freshman Jennifer Kedzierski. A transfer from Louisville, Velazquez stepped in and immediately excelled at No. 1 singles. The Aruba native has gone 10-10 at the top singles spot, tying for the fifth-most wins in a season at No. 1. A talented rookie, Kedzierski has posted one of the best individual seasons of any SJU member in program history. Kedzierski had a blistering start to her first collegiate season, starting off 15-0 before dropping her last two matches. Her 15 singles wins on the season are tied for the most victories at any position and shattered the previous mark of eight wins at the No. 2 spot. Teamed at No. 1 doubles, Velazquez and Kedzierski have posted a 9-2 record for the Hawks.

Competing primarily at No. 3 singles, senior Erika Guers has been a consistent performer for Saint Joseph's. Ranking eighth all-time in career singles wins with 26, Guers has posted a career-high nine wins this season while seeing limited action in doubles play.

Also having a career season in the Crimson and Gray is junior Gina DiGiacomo. Making the transition to No. 4 singles after playing at the No. 3 slot last season, DiGiacomo has gone 8-12 this season and teamed with senior Marisa Donelson to go 7-7 at No. 2 doubles. Having played mostly doubles her previous three seasons, Donelson made an easy move back to singles competition, standing at 7-7 on the year playing at both No. 5 and No. 6 singles.

Last year's leader in victories, sophomore Krysta Contino has surpassed her mark of five wins from 2005-06, having won six this season at No. 5 and No. 6 singles. Contino has also teamed with senior Lauren Kuhmerker for a team-best 11-6 record in doubles play.

Should the Hawks win their match versus the Minutewomen, they will advance to face the winner of the #5 Xavier/#12 St. Bonaventure matchup at 6 p.m. Friday. For up-to-date information, please check www.atlantic10.org and www.sjuhawks.com.