After achieving the program's highest win total and reaching uncharted territory in the Pacific West Conference Championship Tournament, Academy of Art University Women's Tennis signed off on what was a special 2012 campaign. With head coach Jerry Peach at the helm for a 2013 encore, this year's squad will look to not only build upon that success, but take their game to a whole new level with the possibility of post-season now in ART U's first year as full-fledged NCAA members.

“Our goal is to be #1 in the Northern California area at the Division II level,” Coach Peach said. “We want to qualify this year for the NCAA West Regional playoffs. Our team is made up of a good mix of youth and veteran players. With good effort by everyone and the establishment of team play, we have our chance to accomplish this goal.”

The Urban Knights, who are ranked #37 nationally by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, begin their 2013 campaign in Phoenix, AZ where ART U partakes in the Grand Canyon Tournament and is set to face five different opponents. Beginning with #28 Tarleton State and PacWest foe Chaminade this Thursday, Feb. 7, Academy of Art then plays one match on Friday against Metro State before finishing up with two on Saturday. The Feb. 9 opponents include Western New Mexico and Coach Peach's previous team, Montana State-Billings.

From there, the Knights return to the Bay Area for their home opener on Feb. 21 against Fresno Pacific and another match at San Francisco Tennis Club hosting #20 Cal State Stanislaus on Feb. 23. Following a quick stop at Dominican on Mar. 2, ART U travels to Utah for the Dixie State Duals. There, Academy of Art is scheduled to face Colorado Mesa on Mar. 8 and then the Red Storm themselves on Mar. 9.

A three-game homestand is next with local rival Notre Dame de Namur and Winona State both in town on Mar. 17 then Division I Montana State making the trip to San Francisco on Mar. 22. On a stretch of five road contests where they face some familiar faces and some new, ART U first plays a rematch with Cal State Stanislaus (Mar. 23) then goes further south for matches at Cal State Los Angeles (Apr. 4), at new PacWest member Azusa Pacific (Apr. 5), and an Apr. 6 doubleheader featuring UC San Diego and another conference newcomer Point Loma.

“The PacWest Conference has changed dramatically from 2012,” Coach Peach said. “NAIA national powerhouses Fresno Pacific, Azusa Pacific, and Point Loma have all come into the conference in the same year and, although Grand Canyon is leaving the conference next year, the teams from the past plus the new competition are going to make the PacWest one of the nation's premier conferences for women's tennis.”

One more homestand remains on the 2013 schedule in April and it will feature Dixie State on Apr. 12, Dominican on Apr. 13, and Sonoma State on what will be Senior Day (Apr. 14).

As with every season in ART U's four-year history, the Urban Knights will take part in the PacWest Championship Tournament to conclude the season. This year, the collection of teams travel to Waipahu, HI and Central Oahu Regional Park for the tournament hosted by Hawaii Pacific (Apr. 18-20). Defending champion BYU-Hawaii, who defeated Academy of Art in last year's semi-finals, are assured at least one meeting with the Knights on Apr. 17.

“BYU-Hawaii is still tremendously strong,” Coach Peach said. “They have Annie Hwang, the country's Player of the Year and the top female student-athlete for all sports of 2012, still playing #1 and her supporting cast is very good also. Academy of Art University will have its work cut-out to duplicate last year's semi-final result and 4th place finish.”

After four ART U athletes finished their collegiate tennis careers last season, the 2013 Urban Knights are loaded with young talent in addition to some key veteran leaders such as senior Amal Ben El Hadj. In her two-year career, the Tunis, Tunisia native is the winningest Academy of Art University women's tennis player in both singles (.719) and doubles (.697).

“Amal Ben El Hadj comes into her senior year after playing #2 singles as a junior and splitting time in the top two doubles spots from last year,” Coach Peach said. “Amal's results in fall tournaments were extremely good. She is planning to finish on a high note!”

Alongside fellow upperclassman Ben El Hadj, Daniela Amelunge Antelo brings heart and determination to the Urban Knights lineup this season after posting winning records in both singles and doubles in 2012. This past fall in the USTA/ITA West Regional Championships, Amelunge's doubles team went 2-1 while topping pairs from Sonoma State and Cal State Los Angeles.

“Daniela Amelunge Antelo, who played #4 singles and #2 doubles in 2012, has worked hard to rehab an injury and is hitting the ball very strong,” Coach Peach said.

Making up the sophomore class are Jenny Johansson, Sarah Lemp, and Kinga Kurczbuch. Johannson, once the PacWest Player of the Week last season, burst on the scene as a freshman and captured 15 singles victories. Whether energizing teammates in the doubles format or fighting until the final point on her own in singles, Johansson looks to lead by example as a sophomore.

“Returnee Jenny Johansson had a fantastic freshman year,” Coach Peach said. “Jenny played #1 doubles and finished the year at #3 singles, posting more singles wins in one year than any previous Knight.”

On a 2012 team with numerous upperclassmen, Lemp and Kurczbuch saw limited action, but both have worked hard during this past offseason to make strong contributions in the coming year according to Coach Peach.

“Our lone Californian, Sarah Lemp, returns after a year of improvement,” Coach Peach said. “Sarah worked hard this past summer and her game shows much better off the ground and at the net.”

“Kinga Kurczbuch is coming off an injury that kept her out of the majority of our matches last spring,” Coach Peach. “She is very strong and a good doubles player, where we expect her to contribute immediately.”

Among the new faces at Academy of Art are sophomore Nina Gajdosikova (Bratislava, Slovakia) and freshmen Lucia Zavarcikova (Bratislava, Slovakia), Michelle Dandik Zaale (Montreal, Quebec, Canada), Tamara Kenia (Donestk, Ukraine), and Jasmine Singh (Chandigarh, India).

“Nina Gajdosikova is very strong hitter,” Coach Peach said. “Nina takes every ball early and is a pure ball striker, always making great contact. She is a great doubles player who will make a difference on our team early in the year.”

“Michelle Dandik Zaale is the most promising young player in Urban Knight history,” Coach Peach said. “Michelle has every shot and international experience. Her results during the fall were very good, with much more success to come in the spring.”

“Lucia Zavarcikova has tremendous strokes and great ball control,” Coach Peach said. “Her contributions to ART U Tennis are going to be seen quite quickly.”

“Tamara Kenia is working hard to establish herself on the team,” Coach Peach said. “Tamara moves very well on court and will play a tough defensive game her first year. She is a very cerebral player who will improve with each week.”

“Jasmine Singh has joined the Academy of Art team to pursue her dream of playing college tennis,” Coach Peach said. “Jasmine has the drive to strengthen and improve her game. She will work hard to learn the college doubles game, also.”

The 2013 Academy of Art University women's tennis team is full of international flavor with its members united by the common goal to surpass previous year's results, win a PacWest title, and compete for a National Championship.

“The team is hard working, very supportive of each other, and motivated,” Coach Peach said. “One of the best characteristics to note is that the team grade point average for fall semester of 2012 was 3.5.  This mark is indicative of the high standards the girls on the team have set for themselves and their potential.  Look for good things from this team during the year of the Urban Knight!”