FAIRFAX, Va. - Jen Derevjanik, a 2004 graduate of George Mason University who parlayed an outstanding career with the Patriots into a successful professional career, will be trying for a third trip to the league finals when the 2007 WNBA Playoffs kick off this Friday.

Derevjanik, in her fourth year in the WNBA, helped lead the Phoenix Mercury to the best regular-season record in the Western Conference this season.

"This is Jen's fourth year in the league and third time in the playoffs," said George Mason women's basketball head coach Debbie Taneyhill, who coached Derevjanik during her four years in Fairfax. "She has been very successful in her four years in the league and had the same kind of success here at George Mason. She has proven that she is a winner, and she continues to represent George Mason in a first-class manner, as she always has."

Derevjanik has been an important role player in the Mercury's run to the postseason this year, as she has appeared for an average of nearly nine minutes per game in 2007. The 5'10" guard has chipped in 1.6 points, one rebound and one assist per game in 23 contests.

She is no stranger to the postseason, though, as she was a part of the Connecticut Sun teams that finished runner-up in the WNBA Finals in 2004 and 2005. In nine playoff games, Derevjanik has dished out 14 assists and grabbed five steals and four rebounds while averaging 9.2 minutes per game.

While at Mason, Derevjanik started a school record 116 consecutive games and is among the top five all-time in Mason's history books in four categories, including third in both assists (469) and points (1,637). Derevjanik was also named to the 2004 Academic All-America Women's Basketball District III University Division First Team and went on to earn conference All-Academic accolades for her efforts in the classroom.

Derevjanik was named to the Colonial Athletic Association's All-Tournament Team and also received 2004 All-CAA First Team honors. Derevjanik was named CAA Player of the Week twice (Jan. 5 & Jan. 12) during the 2003-04 campaign and earned Hawk Classic MVP honors on Dec. 29. In addition, Derevjanik was featured in "Spotlight: A Player Worth Noting" section of USA Today (Jan. 7).

The Staten Island, N.Y., native is one of two Mason players to reach the WNBA, as Keri Chaconas played for the Washington Mystics during the 1998 season under former Mason head coach, Jim Lewis.

The Mercury, with the No. 1 seed in the conference, will face the No. 4-seeded Seattle Storm in a best-of-three series, beginning Friday, August 24 at Key Arena in Seattle. Following the series opener, which can be viewed at 10 p.m. EST on NBA TV, Derevjanik and the Mercury will return home for a 7 p.m. tilt two days later. That game will be broadcast live on ESPN2, with the third game set for Tuesday, August 28 at 9 p.m. on ESPN2, if necessary.