March 8, 2008

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Furman women's tennis player Laura Gioia has been named the Southern Conference player of the week, the league announced Tuesday.

Gioia, a junior from Tampa, Fla., helped the Paladins to a 2-1 record with wins over San Diego and Cal State Northridge. Gioia won all of her matches at No.1 singles pushing her record to 10-0. She won all her matches in straight sets defeating Helene Lindstrand of San Diego, 6-0, 6-2. She was victorious over Sylvia Kosakowski of Pepperdine 6-4, 6-4 and Victoria Brymer of Cal State Northridge 6-2, 6-0.

At No.1 doubles, Gioia's and her partner Natasa Manojlovic were 2-1 with wins over Monica Wiesener and Milou Teeling of San Diego and Victoria Brymer and Canna Furuta of Cal State Northridge.

Gioia is 10-0 at No.1 singles and 7-3 in No.1 doubles.