May 18, 2005

Head women's tennis coach Tim O'Brien announced the addition of three student athletes to the program beginning this fall. Local products Sarah Mayer and Jessica Ferrara each inked National Letters of Intent, and Taylor Barvoets, a transfer from Fairfield, has three years of academic eligibility remaining after sitting out this past season per NCAA regulations.

"The addition of these three talented student athletes forces us to set much higher goals for the upcoming season," O'Brien said. "I was very pleased with the development of our team last year, and the future of Siena tennis looks very bright."

Mayer, follows in the footsteps of her sister Nikki Mayer `03, the all-time leader in career singles victories in Siena women's tennis history. Sarah Mayer was the New York State Section II singles champion this past year, captaining the tennis team at Shaker High School. She advanced to the final four in the New York State Championships, and was a Gold Medalist at the Empire State Games. Her final 2004 USTA Eastern Ranking was #10. Mayer will also be a Franciscan Scholar at Siena, a grant recognizing academic excellence, as well as community service and advocacy. She was presented with the Outstanding Business Education Student Award at the Capital District Student Athlete Awards Dinner on May 9. The award is given annually to one student in the Capital Region by the business and marketing education association. Mayer's family tennis ties extend beyond her sister Nikki. Her father Dale has been a tennis professional at the Edison Club for the past 27 years, and her sister Melissa was a top player at Shaker as well.

"I have known Sarah and her family for many years," O'Brien said. "We are very fortunate to have her join the Siena community. She brings both academic and athletic abilities to the school. Her competitive fire will help push us to the next level. The best part about her game is that I think she can improve greatly over the next four years, and develop into one of the top college talents in the region."

Ferrara has also enjoyed great athletic and academic success at nearby Schenectady Christian School. As a senior, she reached the Section II quarterfinals, and was the recipient of the Student Athlete Award. The daughter of Paul and Lenore, Ferrara received a presidential scholarship to attend Siena.

"We are very pleased to have Jessica join the team this fall," O'Brien said. "She brings both character and potential to our program. Her lack of match play experience leaves her with a tremendous upside, which we will look to develop at Siena."

Rounding out the newcomers, Barvoets transfers to Siena from MAAC member Fairfield , where she led the Stags to the 2004 MAAC Championship posting a 6-1 record at second singles. In marked the program's initial NCAA Tournament appearance, and for her efforts, Barvoets was named Freshman of the Year at Fairfield. In high school, the Newtonville, N.Y. native led the Academy of Holy Names to the Section II Class B Championship as a senior, and was ranked as high as 25th in the USTA girls 18's in 2002. Additionally, she captured the New England Collegiate Championships at #2 singles.

"We are very fortunate to have Taylor join our tennis program," O'Brien said. Her athletic talents and unsurpassed sportsmanship are already known in the MAAC. I expect she will immediately become a leader on and off the court."

The Saints return all but one starter from the 2004-2005 roster, and expect to have top singles player Denisa Hluchova, who missed the spring season with a knee injury, back when fall practices commence.