St. John's University Athletics
Women's Tennis Program Holds Inaugural Serves & Service Event
11/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Nov. 17, 2008
QUEENS, N.Y. - On Sunday night, Nov. 16, the St. John's women's tennis team hosted its inaugural Serves & Service fundraising and community service event in partnership with the USTA Eastern Section, the Queens Courier and the Alley Pond Tennis Center.
The event was held at the Alley Pond Tennis Center in nearby Queens Village and aimed to raise funds for the Red Storm women's tennis program and the Love/Avon Army of Women Breast Cancer Research Initiative, a movement to bring education and awareness about new research studies aimed at finding a cure for breast cancer. More than 50 people participated and nearly $2,000 was raised. The team registered many of the participants as volunteers with the Love/Avon Army of Women.
Associate Vice President for Athletics Kathleen Meehan greeted the participants with a few words about St. John's Athletics' dedication to community service and the University's Vincentian values. She also stressed the importance of education, research funding, and the early detection of breast cancer.
Women's tennis team head coach Gemma Alexander-Mozeak, who originated the idea for the event, then gave a warm welcome to the crowd and introduced her team to the participants.
Supporters of the event enjoyed tennis drills, playing doubles matches against St. John's women's tennis players, a simulated team practice, and instructional lessons from both players and coaches. Tickets were given out to participants after each lesson or game and could be exchanged at the end of the night for St. John's Athletics merchandise.
"It went very well," said Alexander-Mozeak. "People enjoyed themselves and are already asking about next year." The head coach was also proud of the girls on the team saying, "We have a young group, mostly freshman, and they did very well getting involved, talking to people, and playing against the participants."
One of those participants was nine-year old Priyana Kale, a tennis player from Jamaica Estates. "Tennis is my favorite sport and it was fun and exciting to get to play with the girls from the team," said Kale. Individuals who came out to the event varied in age and gender, and included members of St. John's faculty and Red Storm tennis alumni.
"I'm very happy about the turnout. Everyone had a great time," said sophomore co-captain Jenny Yonkus. "There was a lot of good energy. I had fun and I can't wait to do it again next year."
