LORETTO, Pa.- Saint Francis men's and women's tennis head coach Eric Hovan announced the signing class of 2025 on Wednesday. The women's class includes Gabriela Almanza, Veronica Barber, Helena Lynn and Anya Rosenbach. The men's class consists of Mario Beckles, Jonah Ng and Deven Pandey.
Gabriela Almanza | 5'10 | Orlando, Fla. | Lake Nona High School
Almanza comes to Loretto from Lake Nona High School, where she is a team captain. Almanza, a three-star recruit who is ranked as the 35th best senior in Florida, won a team state championship and a doubles state championship with the Lions.
"Gabriela has a powerful game where she dictates play by hitting a super heavy ball pushing back her opponents." Hovan said. "She has had some great tournament results this past fall and is a player who is most definitely on the rise. Gabriela has the capability to be a really good player for us.".
Veronica Barber | 4'11 | Irvine, Calif. | Crean Lutheran
Barber arrives at Saint Francis from the Golden State. While playing for Crean Lutheran High School, Barber has put together an impressive 68-4 record over her junior and senior seasons.
"Veronica is a three-star athlete ranked as one of the top 60 seniors in the state of California." Hovan said. "She had an outstanding senior season at Crean Lutheran High School where she was the top singles player.".
Barber has been named to an all-league team in each of her four seasons of high school tennis, earning Second Team and First Team All-Pacific Coast League selections in 2021 and 2022 respectively, First Team All-Empire League honors in 2023, and a First Team All-Crestview League nod in 2024. Barber won the Crestview League doubles title in 2024.
"We were super impressed with Veronica on her visit as a player and a person." Hovan said. "It was really evident from the beginning that she would be a really good teammate and someone who has steadily improved throughout her high school career. Veronica has a really solid baseline game and covers the court very well.".
Barber's father, Kevin, played baseball at Long Beach State and her sister, Meili, plays tennis at Chapman.
Helena Lynn | 5'3 | Bethlehem, Pa. | Mother of Divine Grace
Lynn is one of two Pennsylvania natives in the women's class, hailing from Bethlehem. Lynn has won three district titles in singles and doubles with Liberty High School and medaled at the PIAA State Championships.
"Helena is a tremendous athlete with a great all court game and is an exceptional doubles player with really good hands." Hovan said. "She has competed in a number of national tournaments and was a medalist at last year's Winter National L1 Doubles Championship in Orlando.".
Lynn is a four-star recruit and is ranked as one of the top three seniors in the state of Pennsylvania.
"Helena is a really good person who will be a great teammate." Hovan said. "I am confident that Helena's best tennis is to come."
Anya Rosenbach | 5'4 | Hanover, Pa. | New Oxford High School
Rosenbach is the second of two Pennsylvania natives in the 2025 women's class. Rosenbach is a three-star recruit and is ranked as the sixth best senior in the state of Pennsylvania.
"Anya is an extremely consistent player who has really developed a more attacking style of play with a bigger serve this season." Hovan said. "Anya is a tremendous competitor who always displays a positive attitude on court."
Rosenbach was a PIAA State Singles silver medalist in 2024 and is a two-time District 3 Singles Champion. She led New Oxford High School to multiple District 3 Team District Titles as well, compiling a career record of 121-7 as team captain.
"Anya is a tremendous student and person." Hovan said. "I know that she is going to make a big impact on our team as a student, teammate, and player.".
Mario Beckles | 6'4 | Bordentown, N.J. | Bordentown Regional High School
Beckles comes to Saint Francis from the Garden State, where he is a three-star recruit and ranked as a top-15 senior in the state.
"Mario is a really powerful player with a great all court game, has really good hands and will be a great doubles player as well." Hovan said. "I love the confidence that Mario plays with. He is someone who is super motivated to get better and prove himself. We expect big things from Mario.".
Jonah Ng | 6'2 | Erie, Pa. | Cathedral Prep
Ng is a three-star recruit and ranked as the eighth best senior in the state of Pennsylvania. Ng was named the District 10 Player of the Year for three consecutive years from 2022-2024. He also won back-to-back District 10 titles with the Ramblers.
"Jonah has really dedicated himself to taking his game to another level training full time under Coach Rashid Hassan during his senior season." Hovan said. "Jonah is an athletic player with good size. He moves well and has a big all court game. I love the confidence and energy that he will bring to the team."
Deven Pandey | 5'11 | Bethlehem, Pa. | Saucon Valley Senior High School
Pandey is the second Bethlehem product in the combined men's and women's class. While at Saucon Valley Senior High School, Pandey won three District 11 titles and has compiled an impressive 55-5 record.
"Deven is a high character kid who will be a great teammate." Hovan said. "Deven has tremendous upside to get better as he hasn't played a ton of USTA events. He has really started to dedicate himself to his tennis and the challenges that come with playing Division I tennis. I'm excited to see Deven develop into a great player.".
The Red Flash men's and women's teams open up their seasons at Navy on Jan. 18.
