Steve Finkernagel

WILKES TENNIS TEAMS EYE FREEDOM CHAMPIONSHIPS SATURDAY

5/4/2012 2:39:00 PM

(Women's Conference Tournament Page) / (Men's Conference Tournament Page)

WILKES TENNIS TEAMS EYE FREEDOM CHAMPIONSHIPS SATURDAY

Women's Final
#1 Wilkes (18-0, 5-0) vs. #2 Misericordia University (11-4, 4-1)
Saturday, May 5, 2012 / 10:30 a.m.
Ralston Athletic Complex / Edwardsville, Pa.

Men's Final
#1 Wilkes (13-3, 5-0) vs. #2 King's College (14-9, 4-1)
Saturday, May 5, 2012 / 1:00 p.m.
Ralston Athletic Complex / Edwardsville, Pa.

EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University tennis teams will look to continue their dominance over the Freedom Conference as both squads host the finals of the 2012 Freedom Conference Championships Saturday at the Ralston Athletic Complex courts. The women's final will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the men's final to follow at 1:00 p.m. The conference champion will also receive an automatic bid to the NCAA national championship tournament next week.

The Lady Colonels, ranked seventh in the most recent Atlantic South region poll, will be looking to capture their sixth straight Freedom title after finishing the regular season with a perfect 16-0 mark. After a 5-0 win over Eastern University in the semifinals, Wilkes is poised for another Freedom crown. The Lady Colonels posted an 8-1 win over Misericordia in the teams' lone meeting this season.

Melanie Nolt (Manheim, PA/Manheim Central) will continue her play at No. 1 after going 15-5 through the year including a 13-4 mark in dual matches. Nolt will face Misericordia's Michelle Cameron (13-7) whom she posted a 6-0, 6-1 straight set win over in the team's earlier meeting this season.

Katie Lynn (Berwick, PA/Berwick) plays the No. 2 spot going 8-8 during the year including a 3-1 conference mark. Lynn will matchup with Breanne Phillips (16-3) who has proven to be the best singles player for the Cougars this season. Phillips posted Misericordia's lone win with a 1-6, 6-2, 10-6 win over Lynn in their only meeting this year.

At No. 3, Wilkes' Ally Kristofco (Hollidaysburg, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle) (20-1) faces Misericordia's Emily Boro. Kristofco has been Wilkes' most consistent player this season. She collected a straight set win (6-1, 6-3) over Boro in a matchup earlier this season.

Alexis Donner (Belmar, NJ/Wall) shores up the No. 4 position finishing unbeaten on the year at 19-0. Donner will face Misericordia's Emily Hullings, whom she beat 6-0, 6-2 earlier this year.

Anna Mitchell (Montclair, NJ/Montclair) (17-2) and Amanda Holyk (Scranton, PA/Scranton Prep) (13-0) round-out the Wilkes lineup at No. 5 and 6 respectively. Both hold straight set wins over their projected opponents.

In doubles action, Nolt/Lynn will face Cameron/Phillips at No. 1 already having posted a 9-7 win over the duo earlier this year. No. 2 doubles matches Kristofco/Donner against Hullings/Gherghel in the first meeting between the two pairs. Mitchell/English round out No. 3 doubles for Wilkes and will face Misericordia's Foy/Boro.

On the men's side, Wilkes looks to make it five titles in a row after posting a 5-0 win over FDU-Florham on Thursday in the semifinals. The Colonels posted a 7-2 victory over King's in the squads lone meeting this season.

Alex Makos (Mansfield, PA/Mansfield) starts at No. 1 for Wilkes after finishing 16-10 through the Colonels 13-3 overall record. Makos will face King's No. 1 Chris Cozzillio (21-6). Cozzillio posted a 6-2, 6-3 win in an earlier matchup between the two.

At No. 2, Steven Wilson (Bronx, NY/JFK) (14-11) faces King's Tim Carroll. Wilson collected a straight set 6-3, 6-2 win over Carroll in the earlier victory over the Monarchs.

Zack Telljohann (Atlanta, GA/Westminster) anchors the No. 3 spot after going 19-5 this season. He has a matchup with King's Tony Bevevino (14-11) whom he beat 6-2, 6-4 earlier this year.

Clarke Freeman (York, PA/Central York) plays in the No. 4 position holding a 19-6 overall mark. Freeman plays King's Jake Rohring. He posted a straight set 6-3, 6-0 win over Rohring in the teams' earlier meeting.

Dakkota Deem (Montgomery, PA/Montgomery) (13-7) and Brandon Helfrich (Bloomsburg, PA/Central Columbia) (17-6) round-out the Wilkes lineup at No. 5 and 6 respectively. Both have posted straight set wins over their projected opponents.

In doubles competition, Wilkes goes to Wilson/Freeman at No. 1 and Makos/Telljohann at No. 2. Wilson/Freeman dropped a 8-6 decision against King's projected No. 1 doubles of Cozzillio/Carroll earlier this year while Makos/Telljohann posted a 8-2 win over King's duo of Bevevino/Rohring.

Helfrich/Blachowski play the No. 3 doubles spot for Wilkes and will face a number of different combinations of King's duos in the final doubles slot.

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