2008 Woodie Awards
Velazquez provides senior leadership
Mickey Bell '08
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: Sports
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It took no time at all for former transfer Stephania Velazquez, '08, to succeed for Saint Joseph's University women's tennis team.
The Aruba native transferred to Hawk Hill last year from Louisville University and stepped right into the role of No. 1 in both singles and doubles with favorable results. In singles play, Velazquez won 11 matches last year, the third highest individual win total for a No. 1 in SJU history. In doubles matches, Velazquez usually paired with Jennifer Kedzierski, '10, overpowering opponents regularly and winning 10 matches.
Velazquez's individual achievements were deservedly acknowledged as she made the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team, becoming only the second SJU women's tennis player to earn the honor.
Velazquez's strong play went beyond individual achievements as the team set a new program high with 12 wins.
She and the rest of a young, talented team will look to build on the success of last year in the new 2007-2008 season. After the first two regular season matches this year, Velazquez has once again asserted her dominance and has yet to lose a set in singles. On Sept. 15 against Manhattan University, she handled everything her opponent threw at her winning in straight sets, 6-2 and 6-3. The SJU women's team cruised to a 7-0 victory that day. Two days later against rival Villanova, Velazquez soundly defeated her competition, 7-6 and 6-3, but the team fell just short of beating the Wildcats and lost 3-4.
While Velazquez and Kedzierski won the doubles match against Manhattan, they were defeated by a strong No. 1 doubles team from Villanova.
Al Laveson, who enters his 27th season as women's Head Coach as well as 43rd for men's, has seen improvement out of Velazquez already in both styles of play.
"She's getting more confident, she's feeling good about herself," Said Laveson. "She knows she is part of the team. Stephania knows she does not have to put pressure on herself, and it is helping her stay focused. In doubles, she is learning to work with and lean on her opponent better."
The Aruba native transferred to Hawk Hill last year from Louisville University and stepped right into the role of No. 1 in both singles and doubles with favorable results. In singles play, Velazquez won 11 matches last year, the third highest individual win total for a No. 1 in SJU history. In doubles matches, Velazquez usually paired with Jennifer Kedzierski, '10, overpowering opponents regularly and winning 10 matches.
Velazquez's individual achievements were deservedly acknowledged as she made the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team, becoming only the second SJU women's tennis player to earn the honor.
Velazquez's strong play went beyond individual achievements as the team set a new program high with 12 wins.
She and the rest of a young, talented team will look to build on the success of last year in the new 2007-2008 season. After the first two regular season matches this year, Velazquez has once again asserted her dominance and has yet to lose a set in singles. On Sept. 15 against Manhattan University, she handled everything her opponent threw at her winning in straight sets, 6-2 and 6-3. The SJU women's team cruised to a 7-0 victory that day. Two days later against rival Villanova, Velazquez soundly defeated her competition, 7-6 and 6-3, but the team fell just short of beating the Wildcats and lost 3-4.
While Velazquez and Kedzierski won the doubles match against Manhattan, they were defeated by a strong No. 1 doubles team from Villanova.
Al Laveson, who enters his 27th season as women's Head Coach as well as 43rd for men's, has seen improvement out of Velazquez already in both styles of play.
"She's getting more confident, she's feeling good about herself," Said Laveson. "She knows she is part of the team. Stephania knows she does not have to put pressure on herself, and it is helping her stay focused. In doubles, she is learning to work with and lean on her opponent better."
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