FRANCISCAN, BEHREND TOP SEEDS HEADING INTO WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Franciscan University is aiming for their first ever AMCC women's tennis title, but they'll have to go through 12 time conference champion Penn St. Behrend to do it.

The Lady Barons are a perfect 8-0 in league competition this fall, including a 5-4 decision over Behrend in mid-September.  Franciscan has had strong contributions from players from all over their line-up, but the mainstays have been in the middle.  Junior Claire Haddad has compiled a 6-1 record at #3 singles and, teaming with #1 singles player Alanna Murray, a 5-1 record at #1 doubles, while #5 Erin Coyne is 7-0 in singles and 6-0 at #2 doubles with Allison Jensen.

Behrend (7-1) returns the 2013 AMCC Player of the Year in Alexandra Laffey, who boasts a 7-0 record in #1 and #2 singles combined, and a 6-1 record at #1 doubles with partner Chelsea Czerwinski.  Meanwhile, looking to play the spoiler at #3 is Pitt-Greensburg.  The Bobcats' line-up features a trio of undefeated singles players in #1 Shayla Landman, #3 Cayla Ray, and #4 Sydney Geary.

The tournament starts this Saturday, when #4 seed Penn St. Altoona (5-3) hosts #5 seed Pitt-Bradford (4-4) at the Altoona campus starting at 1pm.  The other first round match features #3 Pitt-Greensburg (6-2) taking on #6 Mount Aloysius College (2-6).  The winners advance to the semifinal round the following weekend in Erie, PA at Westwood Racquet Club.  Top seeded Franciscan will face the winner of Penn St. Altoona/Pitt-Bradford at 3:30pm on Saturday, followed by #2 seed Behrend vs. either Pitt-Greensburg or Mount Aloysius.

The championship match is slated for Sunday, October 19 at 11:30am.  The victor will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, to be held May 8-10 at regional sites.