April 18, 2008

MONROEVILLE, PA - The Saint Joseph's women's tennis team dropped its opening round match of the 2008 Atlantic 10 Women's Tennis Championship Friday afternoon at the Club 4 Life. The Hawks will face either St. Bonaventure or Xavier Saturday at 8 a.m.

The Dukes claimed the first point of the match in doubles play, winning the top two flights. Johanna Bezjak and Rachael McGowan of Duquesne topped the Hawks' freshman Stephania Velazquez and sophomore Jennifer Kedzierski at No. 1 doubles, while Saint Joseph's senior Gina DiGiacomo and freshman Maggie Mullaney fell 8-2 to Zina Williams and Rebecca Poole in the second flight.

In individual play, Duquesne posted victories at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 6 singles to earn the team win. Kedzierksi fell 6-2, 6-1 to Bezjak in the second flight, while DiGiacomo lost 6-0, 6-2 to Poole in the third flight. Duquesne earned its fourth point as Kristin Swenson topped SJU junior Krysta Contino 6-2, 6-1.

Singles
1. Williams (DUQ) vs. Stephania Velazquez (SJU) - -6-2, 5-0 (DNF)
2. Bezjak (DUQ) def. Jennifer Kedzierski (SJU) - 6-2, 6-1
3. Poole (DUQ) def. Gina DiGiacomo (SJU) - 6-0, 6-2
4. McGowan (DUQ) vs. Maggie Mullaney (SJU) - 6-1, 3-2 (DNF)
5. Andrea Sailer (DUQ) vs. Lauren Kuhmerker (SJU) - 7-6 (DNF)
6. Kristin Swenson (DUQ) def. Krysta Contino (SJU) - 6-2, 6-1

Doubles
1. Johanna Bezjak/Rachael McGowan (DUQ) def. Stephania Velazquez / Jennifer Kadzierski (SJU) - 8-2
2. Zina Williams/Rebecca Poole (DUQ) def. Gina DiGiacomo / Maggie Mullaney (SJU) - 8-2
3. Alex Albiano/Lianna Beuhler (DUQ) vs. Lauren Kuhmerker / Krysta Contino (SJU) - 7-5 (DNF)