Women’s Tennis Names Lopez and Kukkonen Captains for 2013-14 Season

ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany women’s tennis head coach Gordon Graham announced Wednesday that senior Rocio Lopez (Madrid, Spain) and junior Cheryl Kukkonen (Richmond Hill, Ontario) will serve as the 2013-14 team captains.

“We expect our captains to be strong leaders and communicators and I am sure that Rocio and Cheryl are going to be good captains,” said head coach Gordon Graham. “Rocio’s player record over the last two years speaks for itself, and this fall she has turned up her effort in practice. Cheryl has done an excellent job with her work ethic this fall leading the way in team practice performance.  The team has high goals for the spring season and these two captains will help keep their team on track.”

During the 2012-2013 season Lopez was named American East Player of the Week twice, winning a career-best 16 dual singles matches. Although a late addition to the team during the 2011-2012 year, Lopez claimed the best record for UAlbany in both singles and doubles dual play. Lopez was team MVP and a two-time All-America East first team selection in her sophomore and junior seasons.

Kukkonen has been a starter for the Danes in her first two years on the team and led the squad in doubles wins this fall. During the 2011-12 season, Kukkonen defeated Army’s Natalie Allen to help UAlbany to one of its best team wins of the season.

The Great Danes open the 2013-14 spring season against Rhode Island on Jan. 25.