September 16, 2003

Contact: Bob McComas (724) 738-2777 e-mail: robert.mccomas@sru.edu

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University picked up right where it left off last spring in women's tennis action as The Rock won its 2003 season opener by a 6-3 margin over visiting Allegheny College.

The Rock women are coming off a first-ever NCAA Division II regional championship effort last spring, a season in which a new school record for wins was set (21-3 final record) and a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship was claimed.

The Rock men also played their season-opening match Tuesday vs. Allegheny, but did not fare as well as the women. SRU's men dropped a 7-2 decision after leading 2-1 at the conclusion of doubles action.

The Rock women quickly took command of Tuesday?s action as SRU won two of three doubles matches.

The No. 1 doubles team of senior Jessica Bungo (Indiana/Indiana HS) and sophomore Ashley Michaux (Jeannette/Penn-Trafford HS) won an 8-4 decision, while the No. 2 team of senior Kelly Anderson (Gahanna, OH/Gahanna HS) and freshman Ashley Greene (Cranberry/Seneca Valley HS) recorded an 8-1 win.

In singles action, Bungo won a 6-2, 6-3 decision at No. 1; Michaux won by default at No. 2; Anderson reigned by a 6-0, 6-1 margin at No. 3 and Greene claimed a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 4.

The Rock men's No. 1 doubles team of sophomore Ryan Steeh (Brighton, MI/Brighton HS) and senior Alex Slezak (Pittsburgh/Shaler HS) won a 9-7 decision, while the No. 2 team of senior Jason Schaeffer (Hummelstown/Lower Dauphin HS) and sophomore Matt Merulli (Beaver Falls/Blackhawk HS) recorded an 8-6 win.

The Rock returns to action this weekend when it will travel to Kutztown for a pair of matches against PSAC rivals.

# ROCK PRIDE #

0304-PR-20