LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University men's and women's tennis head coach Eric Hovan announced the finalization of the 2023 signing class featuring five women's and five men's players.
 
The women's tennis recruiting class was selected as an honorable mention in Tennis Recruiting 2023 Top 25 Mid-Major Women's Classes. Notable programs selected as honorable mentions alongside Saint Francis were Gonzaga, UConn, Villanova and Xavier. The Red Flash were the only Northeast Conference team represented on the list.
 
Sara Jankovic | 5-8 | Itasca, Ill. | Lake Park High School
Jankovic was an All-Section and All-Conference selection and qualified for the 2A State Tournament during her high school career. Her top-18 finish the was the second-highest in Lake Park history. She was rated a four-star recruit and seventh-ranked recruit in Illinois by Tennis Recruiting. Jankovic intends to major in Business at Saint Francis.
 
"Sara has a really big serve and has an exceptional forehand. She has a really big power game and is a good athlete whose best tennis is still ahead of her," said coach Hovan. "As impressive as Sara has been on the court, she has been even more so as a person.  She is very mature for a freshman and somebody that we look to be a future leader for our team."
 
Kally Kadzinski | 5-8 | Parkland, Fla. | Laurel Springs
Kadzinski was rated a three-star recruit and was ranked the No. 35 recruit in Florida by Tennis Recruiting. She intends to major in Psychology at Saint Francis.
 
"Kally brings a ton of energy and infectious enthusiasm to the team. On her visit, it felt as Kally has been part of the team for a long time," said coach Hovan. "She is going to be an amazing teammate and someone who will help bring a team together.  As a player, Kally has had a huge jump in her game over the last couple years."
 
Reagen Mangan | 5-9 | Goshen, Ky. | North Oldham High School
Mangan was a six-time varsity participant and won regionals in all-six seasons. She was also a 2020-21 Doubles State Champion and a State Quarterfinalist in singles her junior season. North Oldham was a Regional Champion during the entirety of her high school career. She was an All-Academic selection every season and intends to major in the Physician Assistant program at Saint Francis.
 
"Reagen is an extremely talented player and student. She has a really big game and has shown the ability to step up in big matches," said coach Hovan. "Reagen is a really good athlete with huge upside to get better.  She brings a ton of energy to the court and will be an outstanding teammate."
 
Gretta Rhodes | 5-6 | Hollidaysburg, Pa. | Hollidaysburg
Rhodes went 50-8 at No. 1 singles and was a two-time District Champion during her high school career. She was also four-time Altoona Mirror First Team and two-time Mountain League Most Valuable Player. A National Honors Society member, Rhodes intends to major in the Physician Assistant program at Saint Francis.
 
"Gretta is a very talented player who has a great all court game and is a very good doubles player," said coach Hovan. "She has a ton of upside to get better and it's really exciting to see what level that she can achieve."
 
Diana Zuba | 5-6 | Marlboro, N.J. | Marlboro High School
Zuba held a combined 51-4 record in her final two years and Marlboro went 42-0 in team matches since 2020. Marlboro was a three-time Monmouth County Champion and two-time Shore Conference Champion, Group 4 Sectional Champion and Group 4 Champion during her career. Individually, Zuba was a three-time Monmouth County Champion. She intends to major in Business at Saint Francis.
 
"Diana has had great results over some high level players and will be a really good Division I player. She is very solid off of the ground but has a great feel for the ball as evidenced by an outstanding drop shot and volleys, said coach Hovan. "Diana is a great doubles player as well so she should make a huge impact on the team."
 
Alan Gonzalez | 5-8 | Mission, Texas | Sharyland High School
During his high school career, Gonzalez was a State Finalist, Regional Champion and District Champion in singles. He intends to major in Finance upon his arrival to Saint Francis.
 
"Alan is solid off the ground and is an exceptional competitor. He just just as impressive on and off the court as a person," said coach Hovan. "Alan will make a tremendous impact in the top half of our lineup as well as being a future leader of this team."
 
Kevin Kruzel | Lombardi, Ill. | Glenbard East | UIC
Kruzel spent two seasons at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He won seven singles and three doubles matches during his sophomore season after he earned nine singles and seven doubles as a freshman. He was second on the team with three Horizon League singles victories his freshman season.
 
During his high school career, he was a conference championship all-four seasons. He was also a team MVP and First Team All-State selection. Kruzel intends to major in marketing at Saint Francis.
 
"We are excited to add Kevin as a transfer, as he's has proven to be a really solid Division I player. Kevin's enthusiasm to be part of a winning team and tennis family is very evident," said coach Hovan. "He is a very high energy guy who has a great all court game. We will definitely rely on his experience and he will be counted on as an important part of our lineup."
 
Tyler Nguyen | 6-0 | Fountain Valley, Calif. | Independence High School
Nguyen was ranked as a four-star prospect. He intends to major in Business upon his arrival to Saint Francis.
 
"Tyler has extensive experience playing ITF tournaments and receiving high level training. He has a huge serve and has a lot of variety to his game," said coach Hovan. "Tyler is constantly motivated to get better every day."
 
Sebastian Quinones | 6-4 | Caguas, Puerto Rico | Notre Dame High School
During his high school career, Quinones was a four-year honor roll student. He intends to major in Exercise Physiology at Saint Francis.
 
"Sebastian is a really athletic player with good size. He has a quality serve to go with a solid ground game," said coach Hovan. "He is very enthusiastic and will be a great teammate."
 
Mathis Tremblay | 6-1 | Montreal, Quebec | Académie les Estacades | Siena
Tremblay spent the 2021-22 season at Siena College, where he was a Second Team All-MAAC selection in No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles. He was selected as an ITA All-Academic Scholar and MAAC Academic Honor Roll. He led the Saints with a 13-6 singles record and went 12-6 in doubles. He intends to major in Finance at Saint Francis.
 
"Mathis not only gets what it takes to be a high-level player on the court but what is important to build a cohesive team," said coach Hovan. "He has been training extensively over the last year and will make an immediate impact on our team in both singles and doubles."
 
Saint Francis women's tennis recorded 10 wins during the 2023 season, which was its most since 2014. During the 2023 regular season, men's tennis handed top-seeded, and eventual NEC Champion, St. Francis Brooklyn its only loss of the season. The 2023-24 schedule opponents, dates and times are still to be determined.