Hegedus named CAC Rookie of the Year

Freshman Maureen "Mo" Hegedus (Lansdale, Pa./Gwynned Mercy Academy) has been named conference Rookie of the Year for women's tennis.

Hegedus posted a record of 10-2 at No. 1 singles for the Cardinals. She advanced to the semifinals of the Flight 1 Singles at the CAC Championships last weekend in Salisbury, Md., with an 8-4 victory against Keri Peterson of St. Mary's (Md.). Hegedus, seeded fourth, lost to top-seed and eventual champion Lea Schon of Mary Washington, 8-2.

Hegedus, who played No. 1 singles for four years at Gwynedd Mercy, helped the Cardinals improve from 4-6 last year to 7-4 in 2000. The team placed fourth at the CAC Championships.

2000 Season Preview

Coach Dana Dowd takes over a young team that lost three seniors to graduation in 1999. Promising returning players include sophomores Suzanne Fish, Elizabeth Heichel, Amy Hemler and Molly Merrigan. 

Patricia Dowling and Maureen Hegedus are two freshmen who hope to make their marks in the starting lineup. Dowling posted a two-year record of 17-8 playing No. 1 singles for Mt. St. Joseph Academy in Vermont, while Hegedus played No. 1 singles for four years at Gwynedd-Mercy Academy in Pennsylvania.

Dowd looks to focus on all aspects of the competitive game. These include mental strength, ball control, power, speed and endurance, as well as the important aspects of a varsity collegiate sport - leadership, organization, sacrifice, commitment and team unity. 

The women's tennis program has huge growth potential in the next few years with young, talented, dedicated players whose solid performance in the 1998-99 season will lead to greater success in the future.

2000 Results (7-4, 2-1 CAC)

* CAC matches
^ Does not count toward overall record
Home matches in bold

2000 Roster