April 9, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's women's tennis team dropped a hard-fought 4-3 contest to Delaware State Wednesday afternoon in the Hawks' final home match of the season at Finnesey Courts.

Saint Joseph's captured the first point of the match, as all three SJU duos won their doubles matches. Senior Stephania Velazquez and sophomore Jennifer Kedzierski were 8-5 winners at No. 1 doubles, while senior Gina DiGiacomo and freshman Maggie Mullaney posted an 8-6 win at No. 2 doubles to secure the point. Saint Joseph's senior Lauren Kuhmerker and junior Krysta Contino completed the sweep with an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles.

Switching to individual play, the Hawks need to split the six singles matches to earn the victory. Velazquez earned a point for the Hawks with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Yaroslaun Balakhonova at the first flight, while Contino claimed the second point for SJU with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Julieta Young at No. 6 singles.

Despite the two victories, the Hawks were unable to eek out a third, as the Hornets won the other four singles matches to earn the 4-3 victory. With the loss, SJU falls to 7-6 on the year, while Delaware State improves to 8-3.

The Hawks return to action Monday, April 14, at Rider.

Singles
Stephania Velazquez (SJU) d. Yaroslaun Balakhonova (DS) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
Anna Koutun (DS) d. Jennifer Kedzierski (SJU) 3-6, 3-6
Polina Razborova (DS) d. Gina DiGiacomo (SJU) 1-6, 1-6
Cassandra Newton (DS) d. Maggie Mullaney (SJU) 2-6, 3-6
Hannah Adewumi (DS) d. Lauren Kuhmerker (SJU) 5-7, 0-6
Krysta Contino (SJU) d. Julieta Young (DS) 6-4, 6-3

Doubles
Velazquez/Kedzierski (SJU) d. Balakhonova/Newton 8-5
DiGiacomo/Mullaney (SJU) d. Koutun/Razborova 8-6
Kuhmerker/Contino (SJU) d. Kelly Carrigan/Adewumi 8-6