Women's Tennis Hits Road to Upstate New York

Bucknell (1-0, 0-0 PL) vs. Niagara (0-2, 0-0 MAAC)
When: Saturday, Feb. 5 – 6 p.m.
Where: Village Glen Tennis Courts – Williamsville, N.Y.

Bucknell (1-0, 0-0 PL) vs. Buffalo (4-0, 0-0 MAC)
When: Sunday, Feb. 6 – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Miller Tennis Center – Buffalo, N.Y.

Bucknell at a Glance
• The Bison are currently 1-0 (0-0 PL) following their tight 4-3 victory over Villanova on Jan. 22 at the Central PA Tennis Center. Their match at Penn State, originally scheduled for Jan. 28, was moved to March 6.
• Bucknell went 5-5 (2-3 PL) in the spring of 2021, most notably scoring a 4-2 victory over rival Lehigh in the Patriot League Tournament quarterfinals.
• The Bison posted a 6-3 (0-0 PL) record during their 2019-20 season that was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They won five of their final six matches that season, with two coming by 7-0 margins.
• Bucknell is captained by senior Daniela Bellini, a two-time All-Patriot League selection.
• The Bison lost three student-athletes to graduation following the 2021 spring season, including two-time All-Patriot League performer Cayla Koch.
• Bucknell welcomed three newcomers ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, including one international student-athlete.
• Head coach Tammy Cecchini is in her third season at the helm of the program. Through three seasons with the Bison, two of which were abbreviated, she has compiled a 12-8 overall record.
• Cecchini was previously the head coach at Valparaiso from 2015 to 2018; she spent the 2014-15 season with Valpo as an assistant coach.

Category Leaders
• Overall Singles Wins: Whitney King (9)
• Dual Match Singles Wins: Three Tied (1)
• PL Dual Match Singles Wins: N/A
• Overall Doubles Wins: Daniela Bellini/Whitney King (9)
• Dual Match Doubles Wins: Three Teams Tied (1)
• PL Dual Match Doubles Wins: N/A

Niagara at a Glance
• The Purple Eagles are currently 0-2 (0-0 MAAC), with both of their losses coming in the fall.
• Niagara will square off against IUP on Friday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. before playing host to Bucknell the following night.
• During the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign, the Purple Eagles went 4-8 (2-4 MAAC). They bowed out of the MAAC Championship in the semifinals.
• Niagara returned two 2021 All-MAAC Second Team selections: sophomores Jaida Borg and Elena Mayet.
• The Bison lead the all-time series with the Purple Eagles, 11-2. They are also riding a five-match winning streak.
• In their most recent meeting, during the opening weekend of 2020 spring competition, Bucknell edged Niagara, 4-3.

Buffalo at a Glance
• The Bulls are currently 4-0 (0-0 MAC), with all of their victories coming in the fall.
• Buffalo will take on IUP on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 1:30 p.m. before face off with Bucknell the following afternoon.
• During the truncated 2020-21 season, the Bulls posted a 9-9 (5-9 MAC) record.
• Buffalo returned 2021 All-MAC First Team honoree Pia Schwarz.
• The Bison lead the all-time series with the Bulls, 2-0. The teams last met in Sept. 1998.
• Bucknell's victories came by 9-0 and 8-1 margins.

A Look Ahead
• The Bison stay on the road for matches at Seton Hall (Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m.) and Marist (Feb. 13 at 12 p.m.).

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Players Mentioned

Daniela Bellini

Whitney King

Cayla Koch