Bucknell University
Richmond
Cioffi, Jouravleva Notch Big Wins, But Women's Tennis Loses to Richmond
2/6/2015 10:34:00 PM | Women's Tennis
RICHMOND, Va. – The Bucknell women's tennis team lost to Richmond 5-2 in its season opener on Saturday but received thrilling wins from junior Maria Cioffi and freshman Lisa Jouravleva. Both Bison players won their matches with third set tiebreaks against accomplished opponents.
Playing two-time All-Atlantic 10 honoree Anna Abadias Morales at No. 1 singles, Cioffi clinched a victory with a 10-7 verdict in the tiebreak. She had won the first set 6-3 and came up just short of winning in straight sets, falling 7-5 in the second.
Cioffi improved to 13-4 during her junior year and 56-22 during her career. She ranks 11th in program history in singles wins.
Jouravleva made the most of her first dual match, taking down a veteran opponent in Melissa Kandinata in the No. 2 spot. Jouravleva started strong with a 7-5 victory in the first set, dropped the second set 6-2, and dominated the tiebreak 10-2. Kandinata is a former Rookie of the Year in the Atlantic 10 and a two-time First Team All-Conference selection.
Jouravleva improved to 9-4 in her inaugural season with the Bison.
“Maria played a big, solid match that will give her a lot of confidence to build on, and Lisa competed strong for her first match as a freshman,” said Bucknell head coach Rebecca Helt. “I was proud of the way both players battled in the third set tiebreaks.”
Richmond upped its record to 2-1 overall, which includes a 5-2 win over Navy. Bucknell fell to 0-1.
“We didn't execute very well in doubles, just trying to adjust our timing, but there's a lot to work with for the future,” Helt said. “We executed much better in singles. I think for the first match of the season this was a tough one, but we can only go up from here.”
Bucknell returns to action on Saturday as it travels to Longwood for a match at 11 a.m.
Richmond 5, Bucknell 2
Singles
1. Maria Cioffi (BUCKNELL) def. Anna Abadias Morales (RICH), 6-3, 5-7 (10-7)
2. Lisa Jouravleva (BUCKNELL) def. Melissa Kandinata (RICH), 7-5, 2-6 (10-2)
3. Gaby Rosales (RICH) def. Madeline Melch (BUCKNELL), 6-4, 6-3
4. Brittany Boys (RICH) def. Stephanie Pino (BUCKNELL), 6-4, 6-2
5. Katya Salas (RICH) def. Jorie Fox (BUCKNELL), 6-3, 6-2
6. Kelsey Williams (RICH) def. Melissa Parks (BUCKNELL), 6-1, 6-3
Order of Finish – 4, 3, 2, 1, 5, 6
Doubles
1. Abadias/Kandinata (RICH) def. Cioffi/Alyssa McAndrew, 8-3
2. Boys/Salas (RICH) def. Pino/Jouravleva, 8-2
3. Emily Gitman/Rosales (RICH) def. Melch/Emilie Bush, 8-3
Order of Finish – 2, 1, 3
Players Mentioned
