April 19, 2012

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Fighting to the end, the Saint Joseph's women's tennis team put forth a strong effort in its opening round match of the 2012 Atlantic 10 Championship. Unfortunately for the 11th-seeded Hawks, sixth-seed George Washington would end up winning the match, 4-0, Thursday afternoon at the Boar's Head Club.

Starting with doubles, the SJU team of junior Casey Robinson and Aurora Davis posted a good effort at No. 1 flight, but fell 8-3 to Mimi Hamling and Zoe Krohn. The Colonials would pick up the first point of the match with a victory at the third doubles flight.

In singles, the Hawks put up a strong performance in the top three flights with Robinson, Davis and sophomore Devi Jadeja challenging their A-10 counterparts. Despite the good showing, George Washington would eventually earn the match win with victories at the fourth through six singles flights.

While the season comes to a close, several Hawks posted outstanding seasons for Saint Joseph's. As a team, Saint Joseph's posted its most wins, nine, since 2006-07.

Individually, Robinson turned a remarkable season for the Hawks. Her 23 singles victories are the most in a year at SJU, while her 17 wins at the top flight also set a single season mark.

Davis' 14 singles wins are tied for fifth most in a year, and are the second-most victories by a Hawk Rookie. Classmate Kelly Mulquin matched the 10th most wins in a year at SJU, finishing third on the team with 12 singles victories.

Additionally, the Hawks three seniors - Laura Matz, Tara Walsh and Kate Dowd - have helped usher in a new era of SJU tennis. Starting with the addition of the SJU Tennis Complex, the senior class has seen the team improve steadily over each season.

A four-year letterwinner, Matz caps her career with 17 career singles wins, adding versatility to the lineup with her ability to play each singles flight.

Walsh, serving as team captain, posted her best season on Hawk Hill this year, winning five singles matches and finishing her career with 12 victories.

Finishing tied for third in most wins at sixth singles with nine, Dowd finished the year with a 7-2 marks, with six coming at the sixth flight to tie for fifth most in a year. She will graduate this May with 14 career singles wins to her credit.

Singles
1. Jacqui Corba (GWU) vs. Casey Robinson (SJU) 6-7 (4), 1-5, DNF
2. Leah Pascarella (GWU) vs. Aurora Davis (SJU) 6-0, 3-6, 3-4, DNF
3. Julia Blakeley (GWU) vs. Devi Jadeja (SJU) 5-7, 1-5 DNF
4. Mimi Hamling (GWU) def. Laura Matz (SJU) 6-1, 6-0
5. Isabella Escobar (GWU) def. Lauren Roy (SJU) 6-0, 6-4
6. Meg Tyner (GWU) def. Kelly Mulquin (SJU) 7-5, 6-2

Doubles
1. Mimi Hamling/Zoe Krohn (GWU) def. Casey Robinson / Aurora Davis (SJU) 8-3
2. Isabella Escobar/Leah Pascarella (GWU) vs. Lauren Roy / Kelly Mulquin (SJU) 5-2 DNF
3. Meg Tyner/Jacqui Corba (GWU) def. Devi Jadeja / Laura Matz (SJU) 8-0

Games
Saint Joseph's: 51
George Washington: 83