Bucknell University Athletics
Women's Tennis Beats Lehigh 4-2 in Patriot League Quarterfinals
4/22/2016 3:20:00 PM | Women's Tennis
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Fourth-seeded Bucknell opened the Patriot League Women's Tennis Tournament with a 4-2 win over fifth-seeded Lehigh in the quarterfinal round Friday at the USNA Tennis Courts. The Bison advance to the semifinals, where they will play top-seeded Boston University at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Bucknell won two of three doubles matches and three of the five completed singles matches while improving to 16-8 on the season. Lehigh closed its season at 9-9 overall, including two losses to the Bison.
Despite a 7-0 win in the regular season meeting between the teams, Bucknell knew it would be in for a tough challenge after having to win four of the singles matches in three sets in that shutout victory. That was apparent early as Lehigh notched the first win of the day by a 6-2 score at No. 3 doubles. The Bison secured the doubles point, however, thanks to hard-fought victories at the top two spots.
Playing at No. 1 doubles, senior Maria Cioffi and junior Michele Urbinati notched the first win for Bucknell, beating their opponents 7-5. The point-clinching victory was even closer, as sophomore Lisa Jouravleva and freshman Lauren Fishbein won 7-6 at No. 2, including a 7-5 verdict in the tiebreaker.
Lehigh started strong in singles, as well, with Jamie Campisi securing the team's first point at No. 5. The Bison responded with a 7-5, 6-0 win by Fishbein at No. 3 and a 6-4, 6-3 verdict by Cioffi at No. 1. Cioffi beat Christina Auyeung, a First Team All-Patriot League selection, for the second time this season.
With the two wins, Cioffi became the program's all-time leader in combined singles and double victories with a career record of 171-72. She passed Lauren Lucido for the top spot. Lucido was 170-71 from 2007-2011
Following a Lehigh win at No. 4 singles, Jouravleva clinched the match for the Bison. She prevailed in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, over Grace Lin at No. 2.
The Bison improved to 8-0 in postseason matches against Lehigh.
Bucknell will play Boston University in the postseason for the second straight year. The Bison were eliminated by the Terriers in the quarterfinals last season. The Terriers went on to win the title for the second straight year.
Boston University advanced to the semifinals with a 4-0 win over ninth-seeded Holy Cross on Friday. The Terriers are 10-8 overall and went a perfect 4-0 against league opponents during the regular season.
#4 Bucknell 4, #5 Lehigh 2
4/22/2016 at Annapolis, Md. (USNA Tennis Courts)
| Singles competition |
| 1. Maria Cioffi (BUCKNELL) def. Christina Auyeung (LEHIGH) 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2. Lisa Jouravleva (BUCKNELL) def. Grace Lin (LEHIGH) 6-4, 7-5 |
| 3. Lauren Fishbein (BUCKNELL) def. Briana Maravich (LEHIGH) 7-5, 6-0 |
| 4. Cassidy Cruz (LEHIGH) def. Michele Urbinati (BUCKNELL) 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 |
| 5. Jamie Campisi (LEHIGH) def. Mishi Papich (BUCKNELL) 6-1, 6-1 |
| 6. Stephanie Pino (BUCKNELL) vs. Kirstin Godau (LEHIGH) 3-6, 6-4, 1-1, unfinished |
| Doubles competition |
| 1. Maria Cioffi/Michele Urbinati (BUCKNELL) def. Christina Auyeung/Jamie Campisi (LEHIGH) 7-5 |
| 2. Lisa Jouravleva/Lauren Fishbein (BUCKNELL) def. Briana Maravich/Kirstin Godau (LEHIGH) 7-6 |
| 3. Cassidy Cruz/Grace Lin (LEHIGH) def. Stephanie Pino/Emilie Bush (BUCKNELL) 6-2 |
Players Mentioned
