Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Tennis' Varela Wins Third Damon's Bison Athlete of the Week Award
4/5/2010 8:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 5, 2010
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell's Tania Varela (Quito, Ecuador/Alliance Academy) earned her second award in less than seven days, claiming the title of Damon's Bison Athlete of the Week on Monday. The senior tennis player went undefeated in the Bison's two matches last week and improved her winning streak to 23 matches.
Varela, who was also named the Patriot League Tennis Player of the Month last Friday, won both her singles and doubles matches against Hofstra and Colgate last week. Each of her doubles victories came while partnered with Lauren Lucido (Woodstock, Md./St. Paul's School for Girls) and ended with a score of 8-2. The duo is now 12-0 together since Feb. 13, setting a career record for most consecutive wins by either player.
Varela had an equally easy time in singles, winning 6-0, 6-0 against the Pride's Lauren Clifton before taking a 6-3, 6-0 victory against the Raiders' Elise DeRose. With those wins, Varela's unbeaten streak in singles grew to 11 matches. Similar to her doubles play, Varela has not lost since Feb. 13.
The convincing victories are not new to the Bison's No. 1 player. Varela needed three sets to defeat her singles opponent from Syracuse on March 7, but no other player has won more than four games against her in a single match. Varela and Lucido also had a tough doubles battle against Syracuse, but no other opponents have managed to win more than three games against the Bucknell tandem.
With a team-leading 23-6 singles record this year, Varela has improved her career tally to 67-25, ranking her fifth in Bucknell annals. Her career doubles record is equally impressive at 67-30, which is good for fourth all-time at the university. Varela also moved into fourth in combined wins at 134-55, passing former teammate Paulina Gamboa last weekend vs. Colgate.
The Damon's Bison Athlete of the Week honor is the first of the year for Varela but the third of her career. She was also recognized once as a freshman and again as a sophomore.
Varela's success has helped Bucknell to victories in each of its last six matches and in eight of its last nine, bringing the team's season tally to 8-5 overall and 2-0 in the Patriot League.
Bucknell will Lehigh at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 8. The Bison will then continue on this weekend with matches at Army on Saturday and Lafayette on Sunday.
