Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Bucknell Invitational
Women's Tennis Begins Tammy Cecchini Era With Bucknell Invitational
9/5/2019 11:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Setting the Scene
What: Bucknell Invitational
When: Friday, Sept. 6 – Sunday, Sept. 8
Where: Lewisburg, Pa.
Teams: Bucknell, Howard, Niagara, Saint Francis
About the Bison
• The Bison open the fall season by hosting the Bucknell Invitational on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It is the first of two home events this fall.
• The weekend tournament will be the first for new head coach Tammy Cecchini. Cecchini, who previously led the women's tennis program at Valpraiso, is just the fourth head coach in the 45-year history of Bucknell women's tennis.
• Returning for a second season with the Bison is sophomore Daniela Bellini. An All-Patriot League player last season, Bellini won the Flight 1 singles title at last year's Fall Invite.
• Junior Paige Leavy and sophomore Cayla Koch also return after All-Patriot League seasons. The pair took home the Flight 1 doubles title in last season's Fall Invite. Leavy also won the consolation singles bracket.
• Senior Sofia Ayuso advanced to the semifinal round of Flight 2 last year. Ayuso opened the spring with eight consecutive singles wins in 2019.
• Bucknell is coming off a spring season in which it went 14-7 overall. It's the second consecutive 14-win season for the Bison. The team also reached the semifinal round of the Patriot League Tournament for a second time in four years.
• Koch had the best singles record for Bucknell last season, going 22-8 overall and 15-5 in duals. She played the majority of her matches on court two.
Scouting the Opponents
• Howard finished 5-13 overall and 3-2 in the MEAC last season. Bucknell defeated Howard 7-0 in March.
• Niagara went 6-14 overall and 2-4 in the MAAC last season. Junior Andreea Peteu and sophomore Olga Donchu were selected to the All-MAAC Second Team.
•Saint Francis finished 3-17 overall and 2-2 in the NEC last season. Bucknell defeated the Red Flash 2-5 in February. Doubles partners Laura Gutierrez and Stephanie Miller were named Second Team All-Conference by the NEC last season.
Up Next
• Bucknell will compete at the Bill & Sandra Moore Invitational in Annapolis, Md. Next weekend.
Players Mentioned
