Women's Tennis Closes Regular Season with 4-3 Loss at Lehigh

Tuesday, April 16

Bethlehem, Pa. / Ulrich Courts

3 p.m.

Bucknell University

Lehigh

Photo by: Marc Hagemeier

Women's Tennis Closes Regular Season with 4-3 Loss at Lehigh

4/16/2019 10:34:00 PM | Women's Tennis

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Bucknell women's tennis won the doubles point yet again, but came up just short in the final match of the regular season, losing 4-3 on the road to Lehigh on Tuesday at the Ulrich Courts.

The Bison had an outstanding regular season, finishing 13-6 overall and 3-2 in the Patriot League. The Mountain Hawks improved to 6-10 overall and 2-4 in the league. Both teams will await to find out their seed in the upcoming Patriot League Tournament, which will be hosted by Bucknell on April 25-28.

Freshman Daniela Bellini continued to impress, improving to 5-0 in Patriot League matches with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Sibel Can on court one. Bellini has won six consecutive matches overall to improve to 13-5 during the spring season.

Sophomore Cayla Koch has put together a three-match winning streak. She defeated Paula Gonzalez 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 on court two to up her record to 14-5.

Bucknell has been terrific in doubles this season, winning the point in 16 of its 19 matches. Paige Leavy and Koch have led the charge with a 13-4 record, including a 7-6 win on court one against Lehigh on Tuesday. Bellini and Sofia Ayuso were 7-5 winners on court two to improve to 11-5.

"It was a great match and a tough loss," Bucknell head coach Rebecca Helt said. "We put up a good fight to win the doubles point. Daniela put the second point on the board quickly. We had a chance to win the match when Cayla and Sofia split sets at the same time but could only get one of the two matches."

Regardless of what happens in the Patriot League Tournament, Bucknell is guaranteed a winning record for the third time in four seasons. The Bison have recorded double-digit wins in 12 of Helt's 22 seasons as head coach.

Lehigh 4, Bucknell 3
4/16/2019 at Bethlehem, Pa. (Ulrich Courts)

Singles competition

1. Daniela Bellini (BUCKNELL) def. Sibel Can (LEHIGH) 6-0, 6-1

2. Cayla Koch (BUCKNELL) def. Paula Gonzalez (LEHIGH) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2

3. Elizabeth Nowak (LEHIGH) def. Paige Leavy (BUCKNELL) 6-2, 7-5

4. Casey Zhong (LEHIGH) def. Mishi Papich (BUCKNELL) 6-3, 6-4

5. Grace Lin (LEHIGH) def. Sofia Ayuso (BUCKNELL) 6-4, 1-6, 6-2

6. Catherine Meighan (LEHIGH) def. Jill Auteri (BUCKNELL) 6-4, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Paige Leavy/Cayla Koch (BUCKNELL) def. Sibel Can/Paula Gonzalez (LEHIGH) 7-6

2. Daniela Bellini/Sofia Ayuso (BUCKNELL) def. Elizabeth Nowak/Casey Zhong (LEHIGH) 7-5

3. Grace Lin/Leigh Friedman (LEHIGH) def. Jill Auteri/Mishi Papich (BUCKNELL) 6-3

Match Notes