Bucknell University Athletics

Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
Women's Tennis Cruises to 6-1 Win Over Lafayette
4/3/2019 8:39:00 PM | Women's Tennis
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell women's tennis team improved to 11-4 overall and 2-0 in the Patriot League with a 6-1 win over Lafayette at the Varsity Courts on Wednesday. The Bison cruised to the win, posting shutouts in both completed doubles matches and straight-sets victories in all five of their singles points.
"We had another very solid performance from our doubles teams to get the momentum going," Bucknell head coach Rebecca Helt said. "Overall it was a very good match for our team. Lafayette always competes tough and they're a team you can't relax against. We did a good job of keeping the pressure on them."
Senior Mishi Papich had a big come-from-behind win on court three over Grace Conrad, a player that defeated her in straight-sets last season. Papich fell behind 4-0 in the first set before rallying to win 10 straight games on her way to a 6-4, 6-1 victory. It was the second time this spring that she bumped up to the No. 3 spot in the lineup.
Sofia Ayuso (court four) and Jill Auteri (court five) had similar outcomes to each other in their respective matches. Ayuso won handily in the first set, 6-3, before eking out a 7-6 victory in the second set to improve to 12-3 during the spring. Auteri rolled 6-1 in set one and pulled out a 7-5 win in set two.
Daniela Bellini and Cayla Koch were strong at the top of the lineup. Bellini improved to 9-5 during the spring with a 6-3, 6-0 win, while Koch upped her record to 11-4, prevailing with 7-6, 6-1 scores.
"Bellini dominated (Cecilia) Lesnick the entire match with her smart play," Helt said. "Koch and (Samantha) Snyder were back and forth in the first set until Cayla got the key break of serve. After that, Cayla cruised through the second set."
Senior Danielle Gannon stepped into the lineup and played well, but suffered a hard-fought three-set loss on court six.
"Danielle played a very good match," Helt said. "It's her first singles lineup match in quite a while which played a part in her loss."
Bucknell won the doubles point for the 13th time in 15 matches this season. Bellini/Ayuso (court two) and Papich/Auteri (court three) had the shutout victories.
The Bison will host Navy for Senior Day on Sunday at 11 a.m. The Senior Day recognition will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Varsity Courts.
Bucknell 6, Lafayette 1
4/3/19 at Lewisburg, Pa. (Varsity Courts)Â
"We had another very solid performance from our doubles teams to get the momentum going," Bucknell head coach Rebecca Helt said. "Overall it was a very good match for our team. Lafayette always competes tough and they're a team you can't relax against. We did a good job of keeping the pressure on them."
Senior Mishi Papich had a big come-from-behind win on court three over Grace Conrad, a player that defeated her in straight-sets last season. Papich fell behind 4-0 in the first set before rallying to win 10 straight games on her way to a 6-4, 6-1 victory. It was the second time this spring that she bumped up to the No. 3 spot in the lineup.
Sofia Ayuso (court four) and Jill Auteri (court five) had similar outcomes to each other in their respective matches. Ayuso won handily in the first set, 6-3, before eking out a 7-6 victory in the second set to improve to 12-3 during the spring. Auteri rolled 6-1 in set one and pulled out a 7-5 win in set two.
Daniela Bellini and Cayla Koch were strong at the top of the lineup. Bellini improved to 9-5 during the spring with a 6-3, 6-0 win, while Koch upped her record to 11-4, prevailing with 7-6, 6-1 scores.
"Bellini dominated (Cecilia) Lesnick the entire match with her smart play," Helt said. "Koch and (Samantha) Snyder were back and forth in the first set until Cayla got the key break of serve. After that, Cayla cruised through the second set."
Senior Danielle Gannon stepped into the lineup and played well, but suffered a hard-fought three-set loss on court six.
"Danielle played a very good match," Helt said. "It's her first singles lineup match in quite a while which played a part in her loss."
Bucknell won the doubles point for the 13th time in 15 matches this season. Bellini/Ayuso (court two) and Papich/Auteri (court three) had the shutout victories.
The Bison will host Navy for Senior Day on Sunday at 11 a.m. The Senior Day recognition will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Varsity Courts.
Bucknell 6, Lafayette 1
4/3/19 at Lewisburg, Pa. (Varsity Courts)Â
| Singles competition |
| 1. Daniela Bellini (BUCKNELL) def. Cecelia Lesnick (LAF) 6-3, 6-0 |
| 2. Cayla Koch (BUCKNELL) def. Samantha Snyder (LAF) 7-6, 6-1 |
| 3. Mishi Papich (BUCKNELL) def. Grace Conrad (LAF) 6-4, 6-1 |
| 4. Sofia Ayuso (BUCKNELL) def. Maureen McCormack (LAF) 6-3, 7-6 |
| 5. Jill Auteri (BUCKNELL) def. Katie Hill (LAF) 6-1, 7-5 |
| 6. Meredith Block (LAF) def. Danielle Gannon (BUCKNELL) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 |
| Doubles competition |
| 1. Paige Leavy/Cayla Koch (BUCKNELL) vs. Cecelia Lesnick/Samantha Snyder (LAF) 5-2, unfinished |
| 2. Daniela Bellini/Sofia Ayuso (BUCKNELL) def. Maureen McCormack/Alexa Cooke (LAF) 6-0 |
| 3. Mishi Papich/Jill Auteri (BUCKNELL) def. Grace Conrad/Meredith Block (LAF) 6-0 |
| Match Notes |
| Lafayette 6-8 (1-5 PL) |
| Bucknell 11-4 (2-0 PL) |
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