The Mount St. Mary's women's tennis team will participate in the Bucknell Invitational on Friday and Saturday. The Mount is coming off a 6-1 victory over Shepherd in the home opener this past Tuesday.

Bucknell Invitational
Bucknell Tennis Courts
Lewisburg, Pa.
September 18-19, 2009

Mount Update: The Mount defeated Shepherd, 6-1, on Tuesday afternoon at the Mount St. Mary's Tennis Courts on campus. Senior Chelsea Johnson and junior Emily Bolchoz led the way, posting straight-set wins at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively. Freshmen Kelly Conroy, Kara Caufield and Renee Deane all posted wins in singles action as well.

About the Bucknell Invitational: The Mount will join players from host Bucknell, Duquesne, Hofstra, Loyola (Md.) and Villanova in teh double-elimination tournament. There will be four flights of singles competition and two flights of doubles action.

Last Year at the Bucknell Invitaitonal: Emma Haley and Emily Bolchoz advanced to the semifinals in the Flight A Doubles at last year's Bucknell Invitational to pace the Mountaineers.

Bolchoz Named NEC Player of the Week: Junior Emily Bolchoz won her fourth career Northeast Conference Player of the Week award after earning the honor for the first week of the season this year. Bolchoz posted a 2-0 record in singles action and a 1-0 mark in doubles play at the Towson Tiger 4+1 Classic to open the year. Bolchoz has won the NEC's Player of the Week award in the first week of the season in each of the past three years.

Deane Earns NEC Rookie Honors: Freshman Renee Deane earned Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week honors for the first week of the season. Deane went 1-1 in singles action and teamed with NEC Player of the Week Emily Bolchoz for a win in doubles play over a tandem from Saint Joseph's at the Towson Tiger 4+1 Classic.

Johnson Moving Up: Senior Chelsea Johnson is 2-2 this season in singles action, moving her career mark at the Mount to 59-26. Johnson's 59 singles wins is good for sixth all-time at the Mount, just four shy of fifth place Helen Martaus (63, 1992-95). Johnson needs 18 more victories to match all-time leader Maria Mood (1994-98, 77-39).

Youth Will Be Served: The Mount has four freshmen in the starting lineup this season. Kelly Conroy is playing at No. 3 singles, Carly Landini at No. 4, Kara Caufield at No. 5 and Renee Deane at the No. 6 spot. So far this year, the quartet has combined to post a 7-3 (.700) mark in singles action.

Up Next: The Mount will host Saint Francis (Pa.) on Sunday, September 20, at 2:30 p.m. at the MSM Tennis Courts on campus.

Mount's First Round Matches at the Bucknell Invitational
Flight A Singles
Emily Bolchoz vs. Ana Mungo (Duquesne)
Chelsea Johnson vs. Courtney Reed (Villanova)

Flight B Singles
Kara Caufield vs. Christie Gattelaro (Hofstra)
Carly Landini vs. Michele Jordan (Villanova)

Flight C Singles
Renee Deane vs. Tara Majdalani (Duquesne)
Kelly Conroy vs. Sonia Tsay (Hofstra)

Flight D Singles
Emily Grugan vs. Kirstyn Sotak (Bucknell)
Emma Haley vs. Sarah Kelly (Villanova)

Flight A Doubles
Emily Bolchoz and Renee Deane vs. Rachel Janasek and Kerri Swan (Loyola)
Chelsea Johnson and Kara Caufield vs. Ana Mungo and Noble (Duquesne)

Flight B Doubles
Emily Grugan and Emma Haley vs. Rottkamp and Larkin (Bucknell)
Carly Landini and Kelly Conroy vs. Taylor and Polzois (Hofstra)