Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Women's Tennis to Clash with Niagara, St. Bonaventure this Weekend
2/15/2013 7:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Feb. 15, 2013
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Another weekend means another two matches for Bucknell women's tennis, which heads to Olean, N.Y., to take on Niagara and St. Bonaventure this weekend. The Bison (1-2) are looking to bounce back after a pair of losses in Pittsburgh, facing off against the Purple Eagles at 4 p.m. on Saturday, followed by the Bonnies at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Bucknell dropped 6-1 decisions to both Pittsburgh and Duquesne a week ago. Maria Cioffi and Lydia Colvin were the bright spots for the Bison, both registering singles victories. Cioffi's came against Pitt at the No. 2 position. The freshman also teamed up with Elena Vidrascu for a doubles win at Pitt. It was the first time Cioffi and Vidrascu had partnered in a dual match, although they are now 11-3 to become Bucknell's winningest doubles team this year.
Colvin had to battle for her singles win, defeating her Duquesne opponent 6-7, 6-4, 10-7 at the No. 3 position. The Bison sophomore is 2-3 in super tie breaks this season having won each of the last two. That first victory came in the fall against Delaware's Ali Kaminetsky, 4-6, 7-6, 10-8.
The Bison should be able to add to their wins total this weekend if history repeats itself. Bucknell, which is 4-0 all-time against Niagara, defeated the Purple Eagles 4-3 when the two squads squared off last winter. The Bison took the doubles point thanks to wins from the teams of Colvin/Vidrascu and Lauren Boone/Jen Bush. Dumitrita Iepuras, Vidrascu and Elizabeth Morgan then sealed the deal with theirs singles wins, although it wasn't easy. Morgan was a 6-0, 6-0 winner at No. 6 singles, but Iepuras and Vidrascu both needed three sets to pull out their victories.
This season, Niagara is 2-3 with wins over Rider and Robert Morris. This spring's results also include a 5-2 loss to Saint Francis (Pa.) and a 6-1 loss to Duquesne. Hilary Hansen leads the team that was selected fourth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Poll. Hansen went 13-6 at No. 1 singles a year ago and is now 3-2 at that spot in duals. She has also teamed up with Maria Ortiz to make up the Purple Eagles' top doubles tandem.
After taking on Niagara, Bucknell will turn its attention Sunday to St. Bonaventure. The Bison saw their record drop to 10-2 in the series against the Bonnies after a 7-0 loss last February. Bucknell managed a decision in its favor at No. 1 doubles courtesy of Iepuras and Tuzhikova, but it was hard-won at 9-7. Colvin and Vidrascu just missed a victory of their own at the No. 2 spot, falling 9-7.
It hasn't been that long since Bucknell defeated St. Bonaventure, however. The Bison were 6-1 winners in 2011.
St. Bonaventure heads into the weekend at 2-4 and will take on Army and Massachusetts before meeting with Bucknell. The Bonnies' matchup with Army will be their third against the Patriot League as they also lost 7-0 to Navy but beat Colgate 4-3 in their last outing.
St. Bonaventure was selected 13th in the 2013 Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll.
After this weekend, Bucknell will return to the court for a single match against Hofstra on Feb. 23 in Quakertown, Pa. It will be the last contest before the Bison head south to Orlando, Fla., for their Spring Break swing.
