March 31, 2008

PHIALDEPHIA - The Atlantic 10 Conference announced that Rebecca Poole was named co-player of the week and Zena Williams was tabbed rookie of the week for the fourth straight week and fifth time overall. The Dukes now have a conference-best seven combined awards this season.

Poole, who earns her first honor since being name rookie of the week April 3, 2006, went 3-0 at No. 3 singles and 3-0 at No. 2 doubles, last week beating opponents from Youngstown State on Mar. 25, Dayton on Mar. 28 and Xavier on Mar. 29. She went 36-11 in her singles matches, winning all three in straight sets and defeated doubles opponents (with partner Williams) 24-8, with an 8-1 win against YSU and a pair of 8-5 victories against Dayton and Xavier.

Williams was 3-0 at No. 1 singles and 3-0 at No. 2 doubles with wins over Youngstown State (6-0, 6-1) on Mar. 25, Dayton (6-0, 6-1) on Mar. 28 and former A-10 POW Kara Courtney of Xavier (6-2, 4-6, 6-2) on Mar. 29. She went a combined 40-13 in her singles matches, losing only one of seven sets. Williams improves to 24-2 in singles and 11-3 in doubles play this season.

DU will host West Virginia on Thursday before closing the regular season against Niagara, Pittsburgh and Akron.