Kelly Dowuona Leaves Saint Francis as Program's All-Time Wins Leader

The women's tennis star overcame injury and self-doubt to become one of the best players in school and conference history.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:49pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a women's tennis player in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and red creating a dynamic, fragmented visual representation of the sport.Kelly Dowuona's record-breaking career at Saint Francis University is a testament to the power of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.Loretto Today

Kelly Dowuona will depart Saint Francis University as the program's all-time leader in singles, doubles, and combined wins. However, her path to that record and her journey to Saint Francis was anything but easy. After suffering a rotator cuff injury in high school that nearly caused her to quit the sport, Dowuona received a life-changing call from Saint Francis head coach Eric Hovan that reignited her passion for tennis. Despite early struggles and self-doubt in her first year, Dowuona blossomed into one of the top players in the Northeast Conference, helping the Red Flash reach their first-ever NEC Championship game last season.

Why it matters

Dowuona's story is an inspiring one of perseverance and resilience. Her record-breaking career at Saint Francis demonstrates that with hard work and determination, athletes can overcome significant setbacks and reach new heights. Her journey will serve as a model for future Red Flash women's tennis players on what can be achieved through commitment to the sport and the program.

The details

After injuring her rotator cuff in high school and losing eight matches in a row, Dowuona was on the verge of quitting tennis altogether. However, a call from Saint Francis head coach Eric Hovan convinced her to give college tennis a chance. Though she struggled with the team dynamic and pressure in her first year, Dowuona steadily improved, going 16-8 in singles as a sophomore and 24-12 as a junior - the second-most wins in a single season in program history. This season, she finished the regular season 18-12 in singles heading into the NEC Championships, where she will look to lead the Red Flash to their first-ever conference title.

  • Dowuona injured her rotator cuff during her senior year of high school.
  • She lost eight matches in a row after returning from the injury, nearly quitting tennis.
  • Dowuona received a call from Saint Francis head coach Eric Hovan, which convinced her to give college tennis a chance.
  • In her first year at Saint Francis, Dowuona finished 14-12 in singles and 16-12 in doubles.
  • Dowuona finished the 2025-26 regular season with an 18-12 singles record heading into this week's NEC Championships.

The players

Kelly Dowuona

A senior at Saint Francis University and the program's all-time leader in singles, doubles, and combined wins. Overcame a serious injury in high school and self-doubt early in her college career to become one of the best players in school and conference history.

Eric Hovan

The head coach of the Saint Francis University women's tennis team, who reached out to Dowuona when she was considering quitting the sport, helping to reignite her passion and confidence.

Sully Dowuona

Kelly Dowuona's father, a former professional player for the Ghana national team who guided her early tennis development.

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What they’re saying

“Going into my senior year of high school, I injured my rotator cuff and had to take time off from tennis. I didn't have many results leading into the season. I had a strong junior year, but there was a significant gap, and most universities and recruiters don't view that favorably, so they typically overlook it. Once I finally got back onto the court, I was used to winning a lot. But then I lost eight matches in a row, and I felt defeated.”

— Kelly Dowuona

“I was on the verge of quitting, thinking I didn't want to go to a school in the U.S. to play tennis because I wasn't good enough. But Coach Hovan reached out to me; he talked about the school, and I ended up having a call with him. He was very talkative, easygoing, and nice. He helped restore my confidence in tennis.”

— Kelly Dowuona

“Kelly has had an extraordinary career at Saint Francis and will go down as one of the best players in school history. Not only does she hold the program record for most wins, but she may also be among the best in conference history. However, Kelly is an even better person than she is a player. A three-year team captain, she has dedicated herself to the growth and success of our program. Many on this team and staff believe her impact will be felt for years to come and should set the standard for Saint Francis Red Flash women's tennis players going forward.”

— Eric Hovan, Saint Francis University Women's Tennis Head Coach

What’s next

Dowuona and the Saint Francis Red Flash women's tennis team will compete in this week's Northeast Conference Championships, where they will look to capture the program's first-ever conference title.

The takeaway

Kelly Dowuona's remarkable journey from nearly quitting tennis due to injury and self-doubt to becoming the most decorated player in Saint Francis women's tennis history is a testament to the power of perseverance and resilience. Her story will inspire future Red Flash athletes to overcome adversity and reach new heights through hard work and dedication to their craft.