UAlbany Tennis to Host Sacred Heart on Wednesday

UAlbany Tennis to Host Sacred Heart on Wednesday

Photo: UAlbany is coming off two wins last weekend as they conclude a four-game homestand.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The University at Albany women's tennis team are be back in action on Wednesday, March 13 as they host Sacred Heart inside Tri-City Fitness. Match time is set for 2 p.m. The Great Danes are concluding a four-game homestand before hitting the road for five straight matches.

LAST WEEKEND'S MATCHES
UAlbany won two matches in 14 hours to raise their record to 5-5 on Saturday, March 9. First they defeated crosstown rival Siena, 4-3, before winning their first America East Conference dual match against Hartford, 6-1.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Sacred Heart: The Pioneers have started the season 3-4 and 2-0 in MAAC play. They are led by freshman Katie Derienzo and junior Gabi Kaldan in singles play, 10-4 and 9-7, respectively. Kaldan is undefeated in conference play. In doubles play, the combination of Kaldan and freshman Paige Olson are 2-4 at the No. 1 doubles spot. Derienzo and freshman Lindsey Post are 3-3 at No. 2 doubles.

LOPEZ CONTINUES TO DOMINATE SINGLES PLAY
Rocio Lopez was named America East Player of the Week on Tuesday, March 5. Since then, the junior Georgia Tech transfer went 4-0 in combined singles and doubles play. She is now a team-best 9-1 in singles this season. A native of Madrid, Spain, Lopez easily defeated both her opponents last weekend. Her win against Siena over Brittany Filip, 6-1, 6-2, clinched the match. In doubles play, her and sophomore teammate, Kirsten Scott, combined to beat opponents 16-1.

CAT CRUMMEY RETURNS TO ACTION
Freshman sensation Cat Crummey returned from injury last weekend and claimed two singles victories, adding a third victory in doubles play. The Shaker High School graduate clinched the match against Hartford with a 6-0, 6-1 win. She also took care of business in the early match, defeating Siena’s Cassie Byaz, 6-0, 6-3. She is now 5-2 in singles play this season.

CO-CAPTAIN HAS STRONG WEEKEND
Sophomore and team co-captain, Kirsten Scott, went undefeated over the weekend. She teamed up with Rocio Lopez for two doubles wins at the No. 1 spot. In singles play, Scott had a strong weekend, winning both her matches, 6-1, 3-2 (ret.) and 6-0, 6-1, respectively. Scott looks to be recovered from an injury earlier this season and will bring her veteran experience to the top of the Great Danes lineup as they continue dual matches.

WORLD-RANKED SPANIARD TAKES TALENT TO UALBANY
Head coach Gordon Graham announced the signing of Irene Bravo for the team's 2013 spring season. Bravo, a globally-recognized singles player, has ranked as high as No. 18 in Spain and No. 443 in the world by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). Santos-Bravo has slotted into the top three singles spots, compiling a 3-3 dual record.

NO PLACE(S) LIKE HOME
UAlbany will split time at three different locations for home matches this season. These include Tri-City Fitness, 944 New Loudon Road, Latham, N.Y.; SPORTIME, 2699 Curry Road, Schenectady, N.Y. and Varsity Court on the University campus. Matches will be at the specified location on the following dates. Tri-City Fitness: Feb. 1, Feb. 10 and March 13; SPORTIME: Feb. 9 (rescheduled for University bubble), March 3 and March 9; Varsity Court: April 5 and April 7. View the entire spring schedule.

NEW YEAR; SAME FACES
UAlbany returns five of seven players from last season. They are led by junior Rocio Lopez who will play No. 2 singles for the Great Danes this season. They also return sophomores Cheryl Kukkonen, Kirsten Scott, Fran White and senior Sarah Iannone. Lopez was selected as the 2011-12 Team MVP and also honored to the America East All-Conference First Team. She claimed UAlbany's best record in both singles and doubles, 12-5 and 15-4, respectively.

2013 REDEMPTION
UAlbany will look to improve on their 2012 finish. The Great Danes fell in the first round of the 2012 America East Tournament to Stony Brook, 4-0. They defeated Hartford, 4-0, in the consolation bracket