Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Bison Invite
Women's Tennis Wins Four Titles at Bison Invite
9/26/2015 8:26:00 PM | Women's Tennis
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell women's tennis team won two singles titles and two doubles titles as it wrapped up play at the Bison Invite on Saturday at the Bucknell Tennis Courts. After going without a first-place finish at their home event last weekend, the Bison bounced back in a big way. Three of the championship matches pitted Bucknell players against each other.
“The team definitely got back on track this weekend with their focus and effort on the court,” said Bucknell head coach Rebecca Helt. “To see our players dominate the draws the way that we did is really inspiring. I'm proud of the entire squad.”
Bucknell was joined at the event by Lafayette, Niagara, Norfolk State and Saint Francis. The Flight 2 and Flight 4 singles draws were won by Saint Francis players, while Flight 5, which did not have a Bucknell player, was won by Norfolk State.
Maria Cioffi concluded a 3-0 weekend with an 8-4 win over teammate Lisa Jouravleva in the championship match. It was the second time in three weeks the two met to decide first place in the top draw. The three singles wins moved Cioffi into a tie with Tania Varela (2006-10) for fifth place on Bucknell's career singles wins list. The senior sports a 75-31 career mark.
Flight 3 was also an all-Bucknell final, with Lauren Fishbein earning the title with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Melissa Parks. Fishbein had advanced to the championship match with a 6-3, 6-2 win over teammate Emilie Bush, while Parks qualified with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Lafayette's Tori Almeida.
Cioffi was a double winner for the Bison, teaming with Michele Urbinati to defend their doubles title at the event. The duo went 3-0, including an 8-6 win over Jouravleva and Fishbein in the finals, to take the top spot in Flight 1. Stephanie Pino and Bush went 3-0 to win Flight 2, clinching the title with an 8-6 verdict over Niagara's Haley Hollins and Shannon Wong.
The Bison Invite was the final home event of the fall season. Next, the Bison will play at the Mount St. Mary's Invitational (Oct. 2-4) and the ITA Regional Championships.
Players Mentioned
