Mariam Al-Shikarchy

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – After playing its last four matches on the road, the Niagara University women’s tennis team returns to a familiar court when it hosts Big Four rival the University of Buffalo at 6 p.m. at the Sportsplex in North Tonawanda.

The Purple Eagles are 4-5 on the season after splitting a pair of 6-1 road matches last weekend. Buffalo enters the match with a 2-1 record after falling to Duquesne, 5-2, Feb. 11.

Senior Mariam Al-Shikarchy (Fonthill, Ont.) sports an 11-4 overall record and 7-2 mark in dual matches at No. 1 singles. She pairs with junior Danielle Greiner (Ft. Erie, Ont.) at No. 1 doubles and the duo is 10-3 overall and 5-2 in dual matches.

Sophomore Julianne Prokopich (Loretto, Ont.) enters the match with a three-match winning streak at No. 5 singles. She evened her overall record (6-6) and improved to 5-4 in dual matches with a pair of wins this past weekend.

Buffalo is led by Miglena Nenova at No. 1 singles. She is 1-1 in overall matches and 5-6 overall.

The Bulls Andreea Novaceanu has the best overall record for UB. She is 12-1 overall and undefeated in dual matches. In doubles, Novaceanu teams with Tina Jacob at No. 1 and the pair are undefeated at 6-0 in overall matches and 2-0 in dual matches.

The last time these two teams met was Sept. 7, 2002. Niagara beat Buffalo on the road, 6-1, to open the 2002-03 season.

Directions to Sportsplex can be found the official Niagara University athletics web site at www.purpleeagles.com/sports/mtennis/info/facilities.asp.