Bucknell University
Siena
Women's Tennis Set for Three Weekend Dual Matches
2/23/2023 11:08:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Bucknell (5-6, 0-1 PL) vs. Siena (3-5, 0-0 MAAC)
When: Friday, Feb. 24 – 7 p.m.
Where: Hershey, Pa.
Bucknell (5-6, 0-1 PL) at IUP (1-3, 0-0 PSAC)
When: Saturday, Feb. 25 – 12 p.m.
Where: Indiana, Pa.
Bucknell (5-6, 0-1 PL) vs. Findlay (3-4, 0-0 G-MAC)
When: Saturday, Feb. 25 – 4 p.m.
Where: Indiana, Pa.
Bucknell at a Glance
• Bucknell is 5-6 (0-1 PL) following wins over St. Bonaventure and Coppin State last weekend. The Bison defeated the Bonnies 5-2 on the road before beating Coppin State 6-0 at home. The Bison have now won three matches in a row.
• Bucknell went 12-10 (3-3 PL) during the 2021-22 season, securing its highest win total since 2018-19. The Bison ended up falling to Loyola in the quarterfinal round of the Patriot League Championships, 4-2.
• The Bison graduated their lone All-Patriot Leaguer, Daniela Bellini, in the spring. They welcomed two freshmen in the fall and entered the spring season with eight total on the roster.
• Juniors Kate Novak and Tyne Miller are serving as team captains this season.
• Anna Lajos led the Bison with an 8-4 singles record in the fall, including a 2-1 mark in duals. She also currently leads the team for the year with 10 singles wins.
• Bucknell played its first seven matches of the spring on the road before hosting its first home match on Feb. 19.
• Bucknell is under the direction of fourth-year head coach Tammy Cecchini. She was previously the head coach at Valparaiso from 2015 to 2018 and spent the 2014-15 season with Valpo as an assistant coach.
Category Leaders
• Overall Singles Wins: Anna Lajos (10)
• Dual Match Singles Wins: Three tied (4)
• PL Dual Match Singles Wins: N/A
• Overall Doubles Wins: Abby Platt (10)
• Dual Match Doubles Wins: Anna Lajos (6)
• PL Dual Match Doubles Wins: N/A
Siena at a Glance
• Siena is 3-5 this spring and coming off a 4-3 win at Providence last Sunday. One of Siena's wins was over fellow Patriot League team Lafayette. The Saints also have a 4-3 win over Rhode Island.
• Siena's Meagan Brown was named the MAAC Tennis Player of the Week after winning five of six matches from the No. 1 singles position and the No. 1 doubles spot in the team's three matchups last weekend.
• Siena went 10-12 (5-1 MAAC) last season and fell to third-seeded Fairfield in the semifinal round of the MAAC Championships. Laia Giralt was named the 2022 MAAC Rookie of the Year, and returner Meagan Brown joined Giralt as a Second Team All-MAAC selection for No. 1 doubles.
• The Saints were selected to finish third in the preseason MAAC poll for the fourth season in a row. They won the conference title in 2021.
• Bucknell leads the all-time series with Siena, 3-1. Bucknell last faced the Saints on Feb. 20 last year and earned a 5-2 win. The Bison won two of three in doubles and snagged four singles wins.
IUP at a Glance
• IUP is 1-3 this spring after a 1-1 weekend against Tiffin and Wayne State. The Crimson Hawks also have a 7-0 loss to Buffalo this season.
• IUP cruised to a 17-9 (6-0 PSAC) record last season, achieving its best mark since 2018-19. After winning the 2022 PSAC Championships, the Crimson Hawks advanced past the NCAA regional round before falling to Azusa Pacific in the first round of the NCAA Division II Championships.
• Junior Katy Graydon was named First Team All-PSAC last season and was an NCAA regional doubles champion. Senior Karolin Kirchtag was the PSAC Tournament MVP last year.
• Bucknell faced IUP on Feb. 27 last year, falling 4-3 at home. The Bison won the doubles point, and Daniela Bellini was victorious at the top singles position, but IUP won four of six in singles. Anna Lajos was earned a win at No. 4 singles.
• Bucknell's last win over the Crimson Hawks was in 2018.
Findlay at a Glance
• Findlay is 3-4 after going 1-1 at home last weekend. The Oilers won 7-0 over Saginaw Valley on Friday before falling 5-2 to Wayne State (Mich.). The Oilers were picked second in the 2023 Great Midwest Women's Tennis Coaches Poll.
• Findlay finished tied for the regular season title last season with a 15-10 (6-1 G-MAC) record. It went on to make its debut in the NCAA Division II National Tournament before falling in the opening round.
• The Oilers returned two of their three All-Conference players from a year ago. Laiying Alvarado and Elina Ivanova both earned First Team recognition, and Alverado was the 2021 G-MAC Player of the Year.
A Look Ahead
• The Bison prepare for a Patriot League matchup against Loyola. The Greyhounds, who defeated Bucknell in last year's PL quarterfinals, visit Lewisburg on Friday, March 3. Bucknell then hosts Marist on Sunday, March 5 for its Pride Game.
Players Mentioned
