April 17, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - Posting wins in six of its last seven matches, the Saint Joseph's women's tennis team looks to ride its momentum into this weekend's Atlantic 10 Championships, April 18-20, at the Club 4 Life in Monroeville, PA. The Hawks, seeded 13th, open play Friday at 10:30 a.m. versus fourth-seeded Duquesne.

Finishing tied for 11th at the 2007 A-10 Championships, the Hawks have posted another solid season under head coach Al Laveson as they enter this weekend with an 8-6 mark.

Individually, the top seven Hawks have posted winning records this season, anchored by senior Stephania Velazquez and sophomore Jennifer Kedzierski at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively. Earning A-10 All-Conference honors last season, Velazquez has continued to shine for SJU, posting a 10-3 mark in singles play, while Kedzierski has battled back from an early-season injury to go 8-3.

Competing primarily at No. 3 singles, senior Gina DiGiacomo has been a consistent performer for Saint Joseph's after moving up a flight to begin the year. Ranking sixth all-time in career singles wins with 30, DiGiacomo has posted a career-best 8-6 record in her final season.

Sharing time at the No. 4 singles spot, senior Lauren Kuhmerker and freshman Maggie Mullaney have gone a combined 10-4 at that flight for Saint Joseph's. Competing in a career-best 11 singles matches, Kuhmerker has posted an 8-3 mark, while accumulating a team-high 10 wins in doubles competition. One of two rookies on the Crimson and Gray, Mullaney has gone 9-4 in singles play and 7-2 in doubles play.

Junior Krysta Contino will likely round out the six-person singles lineup for the Hawks. Seeing limited action, Contino has been stellar for the Hawks, going 3-0 in singles matches and 4-0 in doubles play.

Adding depth for Laveson's squad are junior Tristin Reppert (3-0), sophomore Courtney Scardellette (0-1) and freshman Katy Borden (3-2) as the trio competed between the fourth and sixth flights.

Should the Hawks win their match versus the Dukes, 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.