June 10, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - It was another solid season for the Saint Joseph's women's tennis team in 2007-08. Fighting through several injuries, the Hawks finished the year with an 8-8 record and tied for 13th at the season-ending Atlantic 10 Championships.

Saint Joseph's opened its season for the second straight year at the Towson Classic, posting a 4-1 victory over Loyola in the opener. Missing regular starters sophomore Jennifer Kedzierski and junior Krysta Contino, the Hawks struggled over the next four matches, falling to Mount St. Mary's, George Mason, Towson and Johns Hopkins. Despite the losses, Saint Joseph's record remained 0-0 as the tournament did not count towards the Hawks' overall record.

Playing its first match of the season at Finnesey Courts, Saint Joseph's made quick work of Manhattan, topping the Jaspers 7-0. After sweeping all three doubles matches, the Hawks posted straight-set wins in every singles match, with senior Stephania Velazquez leading the charge at the top fight.

The Hawks split its singles matches with rival Villanova but lost the doubles point, as the Wildcats topped SJU, 4-3, starting a four-game skid for the Crimson and Gray.

Travelling to city-rival Drexel, Saint Joseph's snapped its losing streak, notching a 4-3 victory over the Dragons. Seniors Gina DiGiacomo and Lauren Kuhmerker and freshman Maggie Mullaney each recorded a singles victory over Drexel, while the teams of DiGiacomo and Mullaney and Kuhmerker and Velazquez posted doubles wins to earn the match for SJU.

After a tough 4-3 loss to Towson, the Hawks got back on track, rolling off five straight wins, including victories over St. Thomas and Saint Peter's to open the spring portion of the schedule.

Saint Joseph's 4-3 loss to Delaware State dropped its overall record to 7-6 on the season, but the Hawks would pick up a 7-0 victory over Rider in a warmup for the conference tournament. Against the Broncs, the Hawks changed up their lineup, with reserves Tristin Reppert and Katy Borden posting victories at No. 5 and 6 singles, respectively.

Seeded 12th for the Atlantic 10 Championship, Saint Joseph's fought hard versus higher-seeded Duquesne. Despite the strong outing, the fifth-seeded Dukes beat the Hawks, 4-0, sending SJU into a meeting with St. Bonaventure.

Getting wins from Velazquez, Kedzierski and Kuhmerker in singles action, Saint Joseph's was unable to garner another point, ultimately falling to the Bonnies 4-3 to finish tied for 13th.

Finishing with an 8-8 record, it marked another strong year for Saint Joseph's, with Kuhmerker becoming the fourth Hawk in program history to earn A-10 Academic All-Conference honors.

Even though the Hawks will lose several key members to graduation, they have proven this year that their deep lineup is ready for an opportunity to lead Saint Joseph's to the next level.