April 22, 2007

MONROEVILLE, PA - Seeded 13th, the Saint Joseph's women's tennis team improved upon its seeding, tying for 11th place at this weekend's Atlantic 10 Championships. The Hawks earned a 4-1 win over 12th-seeded St. Bonaventure, but fell to 8th-seeded George Washington, 4-3.

Against the Bonnies, Saint Joseph's earned the first point of the match as St. Bonaventure claiming victories at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. Saint Joseph's junior Stephania Velazquez and freshman Jennifer Kedzierski posted an 8-5 win over Anna Perevezentseva and Yolande Callaghan at No. 1 doubles, while sophomore Krysta Contino and with senior Lauren Kuhmerker posted an 8-2 win at No. 3 doubles over Eileen Horgan and Vanessa Close.

In singles action, Velazquez, Kedzierski and Contino won at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 5 singles, respectively, to give the Hawks three points to win the match. Velazquez downed Callaghan 6-3, 6-2, while Kedzierski topped Perevezentseva 6-3, 6-2. Contino earned the match for the Hawks with a 3-6, 6-0, 10-8 win over Horgan.

Advancing to face the Colonials, Saint Joseph's earned the opening point winning at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. Velazquez and Kedzierski downed Kendall Swenson and Verena Knoedler 8-4, while Contino and Kuhmerker beat Rachael Honig and Tracy Stecko 8-2.

In individual play, the Hawks got wins from Kedzierski at No. 2 singles with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Madhuri Jha, and junior Gina DiGiacomo's 6-3, 0-6, 1-0 over Tracy Stecko at No. 4 singles; but it wasn't enough as the Colonials earned the four points for the victories.

Despite the loss, the Hawks capped a record season, earning a program-best 12 victories, while Kedzierski set a single-season record with 16 wins in singles competition.