Sept. 15, 2009

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -

The Providence College women’s tennis team (0-0, 0-0 BIG EAST) opens up its 2009 fall season at home on Wednesday, September 16 against the University of Hartford at 3:30 p.m. The Friars are coming off a 6-12 season in 2008-2009.

Providence returns eight players from last year’s squad including senior captain Jen Cusack (Bayport, N.Y.) and perennial No. 1 singles player, Ayushi Sinha (Mumbai, India). In addition to the eight returners, Coach Kyle LaBranche has added freshmen Marisela Aviles-Duron (Tegucigalpa, Honduras), Courtney Burek (Wheaton, Ill.) and Brittany Maddock (Marietta, Ga.). All three players will see significant action this year as they hope to contribute to the winning effort.

Last season, Hartford accounted for two of PC’s six wins as the Friars downed the Hawks, 7-0, in Providence on September 16, 2008 and again in West Hartford, 5-2, on April 16, 2009. Liz Gillis (Mattapoisett, Mass.) shined in each meeting, posting 6-0, 6-0 victories in both matches. Since 2004, Providence has posted a 7-0 team record against Hartford, including three shutouts.

The University of Hartford women’s tennis team (0-0, 0-0 America East) enters the season having gone 3-16 overall and 0-4 in conference play in 2008-2009. The Hawks start off with two head-to-head road matches as they are first hosted by Providence and again by Siena on Saturday, September 19.

The Friars will have a quick turnaround as they travel to Worcester, Mass. on Thursday, September 17 to face Holy Cross at 3:30 p.m.