Tennis Volunteers at 2012 U.S. Open
9/11/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
For the second year in a row, the Seton Hall tennis team traveled to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to do their part to enhance the fan experience at America's most prestigious tournament.
"Volunteering at the U.S. Open is a great opportunity for our team on two fronts," said head coach Greg Wyzykowski. "The girls get the chance to experience a grand slam first hand but at the same time we are interacting with the community and representing the university at one of the sport's most high profile events."
At last year's open, the team volunteered as a part of the SmashZone interactive center, spending six hours engaging young fans in various recreational and skill-building activities. This year, the team was enlisted to help distribute souvenirs and greet fans as they entered the arena.
With two new additions in freshmen Alex Landert (Naples, Fla.) and Julia Keenan (Greenland, N.H.) and a familiar face, Karina Cordero (Maracay Estado Aragua, Venezuela) assuming a new role as captain, the trip only helped further the team's budding chemistry as they head into the opening of their fall season this weekend.
"Going to the U.S. Open was a great experience for us as a team," Cordero said. "It is always fun to get the chance to represent our school and our program. After we were done interacting with the fans, we were lucky enough to get to watch some matches and I think it ended up being a great bonding activity for the team."
The Pirates will look to take their first steps towards building on the success of 2011 when they begin their fall schedule this weekend at the Quinnipiac Tournament. Last year, the Pirates took home three out of six titles awarded at the tournament, with Cordero capturing the C flight singles title and teaming with senior Courtney Kilarski to win the B flight doubles crown. In D flight singles, Maria Rodriguez (Bogota, Columbia) edged classmate Anna Guryanova (Moscow, Russia) in an all-Pirate final.
Play will begin from Hamden, Conn. this Friday, September 14, and continue through Sunday, September 16. Joining Seton Hall and hosts Quinnipiac in the 2012 field will be Hartford, Niagara, Sacred Heart, Wagner and BIG EAST rivals Connecticut and Providence.
