Bucknell University Athletics
Road Stretch Continues for Women's Tennis with Two Matches in New York
2/27/2015 10:03:00 PM | Women's Tennis
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell women's tennis is set to play two more road matches this weekend. The Bison will play at Niagara on Saturday at 5 p.m., and at St. Bonaventure on Sunday at 11 a.m.
The Bison fell to 0-4 on the season after losses to Saint Francis and Duquesne last weekend. They fell 4-2 to the Red Flash and dropped a 4-0 contest to the Dukes in a match that was played in a shortened format due to weather concerns.
Junior Maria Cioffi and freshman Lisa Jouravleva posted singles victories against Saint Francis, as did the doubles team of Jouravleva and freshman Madeline Melch. Jouravleva exited the weekend at 3-1 in singles play.
Due to injuries and illness Bucknell has struggled to get its full lineup together for a match this spring, and that won't change this weekend. The Bison are expected to be without their No. 1 singles/doubles player Maria Cioffi, No. 3 singles player Melch, and No. 4 singles player Michele Urbinati.
“This will be extremely challenging for our team, but it is also an opportunity for our depth to step up and get opportunities that might not otherwise exist,” said Bucknell head coach Rebecca Helt.
Following the match with St. Bonaventure the Bison will have eight days off, but things won't get easier after that, especially if the team isn't healthy. They have five matches scheduled over a five-day span in Orlando from March 9-12.
Niagara enters Saturday's match with a record of 2-3. The Purple Eagles are 2-1 against Patriot League opponents, posting wins over Lafayette and Colgate and losing to Lehigh. St. Bonaventure is 2-6, including a win over Colgate and losses to Navy and Army.
Players Mentioned
