Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Women's Tennis Set for Patriot League Tournament
4/15/2005 8:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 15, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell women's tennis team will attempt to earn a Patriot League title this weekend, at the Patriot League Championship Tournament, hosted by Army in West Point, N.Y. The second-seeded Bison will take on Lehigh on Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m. The Bison narrowly slid by Lehigh earlier this season, beating the Mountain Hawks 4-3. The Bison are 13-3 overall, 4-1 in the Patriot League.
On the other side of the bracket, top-seeded and defending champ Army face off against Colgate, at 12 p.m. on Saturday. The Bison lost to the Black Knights in a 6-1 decision earlier this season, the team's only PL loss. Bucknell beat up on Colgate 5-2 when the two teams met. The winners of the Bucknell/Lehigh and Army/Colgate match will meet on Sunday at 12 p.m., for the 2005 PL title.
Senior co-captain Nada Curcic, who has dominated opponents all season, will lead the Bison at one singles. Curcic, the March Patriot League Player of the Month, is riding a 15-game win streak, posting an impressive 15-1 dual singles record this spring. Curcic, Bucknell's all-time doubles and combined wins leader, and doubles partner Veronica Brown have also been seemingly unstoppable this spring, also recording 15-consecutive victories.
Brown has also had a commendable singles season this spring, posting a 12-4 overall record, including an 8-2 mark at three singles. Freshman Daniella Shtemberg has had an excellent rookie campaign, with a 12-2 record. Shtemberg has been the mainstay at two singles in the latter part of the season, notching a 6-1 mark.
Senior co-captiain Tanya Sichko, and juniors Chelsea Mills and Rheanna Gaskin have provided depth through the four through six singles spots of the Bison lineup all season. Sichko, Bucknell's all-times singles wins leader, posts a 7-1 record at four singles, while Gaskin is 7-5 at five singles, and Mills is 9-2 in her normal spot at six singles.
Prior to Tuesday's 4-2 loss to non-league opponent UMBC, the Bison were on a three game win-streak with PL wins over Lehigh, Colgate and Lafayette.
