Women's Tennis to Take on TCNJ in NCAA First Round

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BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University women's tennis team will take on The College of New Jersey in the opening round of the 2011 NCAA Division III Tournament. Pairings for the 49-team national tournament were announced on Monday evening.

Bridgewater will face TCNJ in first round action on Friday, May 13th at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.  The winner of the match will advance to face Bowdoin College on Saturday.

The Bears, who are making their second NCAA Tournament appearance and first since the 2007-2008 campaign, are currently 14-1 on the season.  The Lions (14-2) are in the tournament for the fifth straight year and 16th time overall. 

Under the guidance of Head Coach Barry Gorman (3rd Year), Bridgewater earned the automatic qualification (AQ) into the NCAAs by virtue of winning the Little East Conference Tournament this past fall.  Gorman has directed his teams to an overall record of 38-9 (.692) since taking over the reins in 2008.

The Bears are led by senior co-captains Lauren Donnelly (Centerville, Mass.) and Jessica Francis (West Barnstable, Mass.).  Donnelly is 7-6 in singles play competing exclusively out of the top flight, while Francis enters the tournament with an 8-6 mark at the second spot.

Donnelly and Francis have also teamed up for a 14-3 mark in top flight doubles competition. Francis is the only member of the team who also played in the NCAA Tournament in 2008.

Freshman Jenna Williamson (Ludlow, Mass.) has put together a sensational rookie season competing mostly at third singles and third doubles.  Williamson is an impressive 14-1 in singles play and 13-5 in doubles competition.

Sophomores Karisse Bendijo (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) and Allison Tierney (Berkley Heights, N.J.) lead the way for the Lions who captured the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) regular season title with a 5-0 conference mark under the direction of Head Coach Scott Dicheck (11th Year).

Bendijo and Tierney are 21-5 in doubles competition with a 12-4 mark in dual matches at the top doubles flight.  In singles play, Bendijo is sporting a 20-6 overall mark while Tierney checks in at 15-4.

Juniors Emily Petersack (Mercerville, N.J.) and Felice Trinh (Linden, N.J.) have teamed up to post a 16-3 doubles record with an 11-1 third flight mark in dual matches.