Sophomore Jacquelyn Cary

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University men’s and women’s tennis teams resume action in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play when they travel to Jersey City, N.J. this weekend to play Saint Peter’s and Manhattan.

The Purple Eagles begin the weekend when the Purple Eagles meet the Peacocks and the Peahens at 11:30 a.m. On Sunday, the Niagara women’s team meets the Lady Jaspers at 10:30 a.m. and the men’s team plays Manhattan at 1:30 p.m.

The Niagara men’s team looks to snap a three-match losing streak and improve to 2-0 in the league this weekend. The Purple Eagles won their first MAAC match when they defeated Rider, 6-1, Oct. 9.

Niagara is led by the brother duo of Erick and Walter Garcia. The brothers are 14-6 and 14-7, respectively in overall matches. Erick boasts an undefeated dual record at both No. 2 and No. 3 singles while younger brother, Walter, is 4-3 in dual matches, including 2-2 at No. 1 and 2-1 at No. 2. Both are 1-0 in MAAC matches.

On the women’s side, the Purple Eagles will also be looking to get back into the win column. They were shutout in their last match, 7-0, vs. Buffalo on Feb. 25.

Senior Mariam Al-Shikarchy leads the team with an 11-5 overall record, 7-3 dual mark and 1-0 record in MAAC matches at No. 1 singles. She pairs with junior Danielle Greiner at No. 1 doubles. The duo are 11-3 overall, 6-2 in dual matches and 1-0 in the league.

In last year’s matches, the Purple Eagle men’s team shutout Saint Peter’s, 7-0, and lost to Manhattan, 7-0. The Jaspers are the defending MAAC champions.

The Niagara women’s team won both matches last season, beating the Peahens, 7-0, and the Lady Jaspers, 6-1.