Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Villanova
Women's Tennis Continues Homestand Against Villanova Saturday, Le Moyne Sunday
2/21/2024 10:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Bucknell (3-6, 0-1 PL) vs. Villanova (2-6, 1-1 Big East)
When: Saturday, Feb. 24 – 1 p.m.
Where: Central PA Tennis Center – South Williamsport, Pa.
Bucknell (3-6, 0-1 PL) vs. Le Moyne (4-4, 2-2 NEC)
When: Sunday, Feb. 25 – 10 a.m.
Where: Central PA Tennis Center – South Williamsport, Pa.
Bucknell at a Glance
• The Bison continue their five-dual homestand at the Central PA Tennis Center when they welcome Villanova and Le Moyne this weekend. Bucknell is 2-1 over its last three matches at home.
• Bucknell is coming off a 1-1 weekend, during which it defeated Seton Hall 4-3 Saturday afternoon and fell 7-0 to Delaware Sunday morning. Against the Pirates, Bucknell swept the doubles point and won three of six in singles to capture its second straight 4-3 victory. Whitney King, Abby Platt and Tori Allen each accounted for singles wins, and King's decision at first singles clinched the match. The Bison were then swept in singles and doubles by a tough Blue Hens team.
• King was named an honorable mention for Patriot League Women's Tennis Player of the Week for her role in Saturday's win over Seton Hall. The junior improved to 10-6 in singles for the season and is tied for second on the roster with Anna Lajos.
• Platt earned her 11th win of the season against Seton Hall and leads the roster. She's 4-3 in dual action, earning all four wins at No. 3 singles.
• King and Platt moved to 14-2 as a doubles team and are 5-2 in duals on court one. With the win over Seton Hall, King moved into 11th in the Bucknell record book in career doubles wins (54). Lajos and Tyne Miller are Bucknell's second-winningest doubles team this season at 5-3.
• Bucknell finished the 2022-23 campaign 13-13 (4-3 PL) and reached the Patriot League semifinal round for a second time under head coach Tammy Cecchini. The Bison defeated Colgate 4-0 in the quarterfinals for the program's 500th all-time victory in what was the 50th season of Bucknell women's tennis. At the end of the year, King was named to the All-Patriot League First Team and the Academic All-Patriot League Team.
• Bucknell returned all eight members of last spring's roster and added two newcomers: Allen and Jaycie Mair. The roster is comprised of three seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and the two rookies.
• Seniors Miller, Kate Novak and Madi Sebulsky are serving as team captains this season.
• Cecchini is in her fifth year leading the Bison. She owns a 39-37 record since arriving in Lewisburg.
Category Leaders
• Overall Singles Wins: Abby Platt (11)
• Dual Match Singles Wins: King, Platt (4)
• PL Dual Match Singles Wins: N/A
• Overall Doubles Wins: King and Platt (14)
• Dual Match Doubles Wins: King and Platt (5)
• PL Dual Match Doubles Wins: King and Platt (1)
Scouting Villanova
• The Wildcats improved to 2-6 with a 4-2 win over Howard last Saturday. They had previously dropped two in a row to Temple and Brown. Villanova's other win this season was a 7-0 decision over Providence.
• Villanova is 0-2 against Patriot League teams this season. It suffered a 4-3 loss at Lehigh and a 5-2 loss at Navy. Another common opponent between the Bison and Wildcats, Delaware, defeated Villanova 6-1 back on Jan. 27.
• Villanova went 8-14 last season and fell to Marquette in the first round of the Big East Championships. The Wildcats went 2-1 against Patriot League foes in 2022-23, earning wins over Loyola and Lafayette while falling to Army.
• Last time out, Villanova's top doubles team of Amanda Rivera-Gonzalez and Ami Grace Douga picked up a decision, and Jenna Stevens joined Bella Steffen in a win at third doubles. Dougah also won at one singles, as well as Maggie Gehrig at No. 2 and Stevens at No. 5.
• The Bison defeated Villanova 4-3 in South Williamsport when the two teams last met in January of 2022. Anna Lajos clinched the victory for the Bison in the third set at No. 5 singles. Whitney King and Tyne Miller also picked up singles wins. Villanova won the previous matchup in 2019.
Scouting Le Moyne
• Le Moyne is coming off back-to-back wins over Niagara and Wagner and sits at 4-4 on the season. It previously dropped three in a row, including a 6-1 loss to Patriot League foe Colgate.
• Another common opponent between the Bison and the Dolphins is Saint Francis. The Red Flash handed Le Moyne a 7-0 loss on Feb. 4.
• Le Moyne went 10-7 (5-3 NE10) in 2022-23 during its final season competing at the Division II level.
• Sunday will be the first-ever meeting between the Bison and Dolphinsl
A Look Ahead
• Bucknell hits the road for two duals in New York next weekend. The Bison will face Skidmore in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on Saturday, March 2, then challenge Siena in Loudonville, N.Y. on Sunday, March 3.
Players Mentioned
