St. John's University Athletics
Friday, February 21
Queens, N.Y. /USTA National Tennis Center
12 P.M. ET
St. John's University
vs
NJIT
St. John’s Awaits NJIT and Brown This Weekend
2/20/2020 1:45:00 PM | Women's Tennis
The Red Storm looks to build off of Sunday’s victory with two more wins against NJIT and Brown
QUEENS, N.Y. (Feb. 20, 2020) – After capping off last weekend's slate of matches with a come-from-behind victory at UMass, 5-2, on Sunday, the St. John's women's tennis team is back in action this weekend with contests against NJIT and Brown.
On Friday at noon ET, St. John's welcomes an NJIT squad to the USTA National Tennis Center for the third time in the series' history. Coach Leo's squad has won each of the last five matchups between the two programs, dating back to the 2008 season. In those five contests, the Red Storm has swept the Highlanders three times and has only relinquished five matches total.
NJIT (5-2) is coming off three consecutive victories, including a 4-0 triumph over UConn and a 7-0 shutout over Wagner. Four of the Highlanders' five wins this season have come in the form of a sweep. Mouna Bouzgarrou, Amira Badawi, and Joleta Budiman lead NJIT this season, securing 15 of the Highlanders' 28 victories this spring.
Following Friday's contest, the Johnnies travel north to Providence, R.I., to square off with Brown on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. The Red Storm can capture its first win over the Bears in over 12 years with a win at the Pizzitola Memorial Sports Center. In last year's tilt between the two programs, the Bears knocked off the Red Storm, 5-2, at the USTA National Tennis Center. Livianu and Dawson picked up St. John's lone singles victories in last season's meeting.
Brown (3-6) has lost its last three bouts heading into the weekend, falling 4-1 to Ivy League foe Dartmouth, a 7-0 loss to Texas, and a 6-1 defeat at the hands of Houston. Senior Devon Jack of San Marino, Calif., recorded the lone victory for the Bears in their previous bout, winning her No. 2 singles tilt.
The win on Sunday improved the Johnnies to a 5-3 start to their spring season. Against UMass, St. John's dropped the doubles point, falling in the No. 1 and 3 bouts. Head Coach Lauren Leo's squad fired back in singles play to claim the first four contests and clinch the win over the Minutewomen.
Jessica Livianu, last week's BIG EAST Tennis Athlete of the Week, had another dominant week on the tennis court, as she finished with two singles triumphs in the No. 1 slot. On Friday, the senior knocked off her first BIG EAST opponent of the year, bouncing Villanova's Lindsey Zimmerman in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5. On Sunday, the Brooklyn native responded with another easy victory over UMass' Anna Nappadiy, 6-4, 6-2.
Najah Dawson has continued to impress ever since moving up to the No. 4 singles slot, capping the weekend with two straight-set victories over Villanova's Kaylan Rotman (6-1, 6-1) and UMass' Jovana Bogicevic (6-2, 6-2). The sophomore has won five of her six total bouts ever since taking over the No. 4 position on Feb. 1, against Morgan State.
After this weekend, the Red Storm will square off with Columbia on Friday, Feb. 28, at 11:30 a.m. ET. The Johnnies wrap up their weekend on Sunday, Mar. 1, with the first of two contests in South Carolina when they face Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C., at noon ET.
On Friday at noon ET, St. John's welcomes an NJIT squad to the USTA National Tennis Center for the third time in the series' history. Coach Leo's squad has won each of the last five matchups between the two programs, dating back to the 2008 season. In those five contests, the Red Storm has swept the Highlanders three times and has only relinquished five matches total.
NJIT (5-2) is coming off three consecutive victories, including a 4-0 triumph over UConn and a 7-0 shutout over Wagner. Four of the Highlanders' five wins this season have come in the form of a sweep. Mouna Bouzgarrou, Amira Badawi, and Joleta Budiman lead NJIT this season, securing 15 of the Highlanders' 28 victories this spring.
Following Friday's contest, the Johnnies travel north to Providence, R.I., to square off with Brown on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. The Red Storm can capture its first win over the Bears in over 12 years with a win at the Pizzitola Memorial Sports Center. In last year's tilt between the two programs, the Bears knocked off the Red Storm, 5-2, at the USTA National Tennis Center. Livianu and Dawson picked up St. John's lone singles victories in last season's meeting.
Brown (3-6) has lost its last three bouts heading into the weekend, falling 4-1 to Ivy League foe Dartmouth, a 7-0 loss to Texas, and a 6-1 defeat at the hands of Houston. Senior Devon Jack of San Marino, Calif., recorded the lone victory for the Bears in their previous bout, winning her No. 2 singles tilt.
The win on Sunday improved the Johnnies to a 5-3 start to their spring season. Against UMass, St. John's dropped the doubles point, falling in the No. 1 and 3 bouts. Head Coach Lauren Leo's squad fired back in singles play to claim the first four contests and clinch the win over the Minutewomen.
Jessica Livianu, last week's BIG EAST Tennis Athlete of the Week, had another dominant week on the tennis court, as she finished with two singles triumphs in the No. 1 slot. On Friday, the senior knocked off her first BIG EAST opponent of the year, bouncing Villanova's Lindsey Zimmerman in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5. On Sunday, the Brooklyn native responded with another easy victory over UMass' Anna Nappadiy, 6-4, 6-2.
Najah Dawson has continued to impress ever since moving up to the No. 4 singles slot, capping the weekend with two straight-set victories over Villanova's Kaylan Rotman (6-1, 6-1) and UMass' Jovana Bogicevic (6-2, 6-2). The sophomore has won five of her six total bouts ever since taking over the No. 4 position on Feb. 1, against Morgan State.
After this weekend, the Red Storm will square off with Columbia on Friday, Feb. 28, at 11:30 a.m. ET. The Johnnies wrap up their weekend on Sunday, Mar. 1, with the first of two contests in South Carolina when they face Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C., at noon ET.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
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