NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University men’s and women’s tennis teams begin their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference season this weekend when Loyola College comes to town.

The Purple Eagle women’s team opens the weekend with a 5 p.m. non-conference match vs. Duquesne University Friday at Sportsplex. The Purple Eagles then tangle with the Greyhounds Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Niagara women’s team looks to snap a three-match losing streak Friday. The Purple Eagles lost their last match, 6-1, at Colgate on Feb. 17. Senior Julianne Prokopich (Loretto, Ont.) was Niagara’s lone double winner, improving to 2-2 in dual matches at No. 3 singles with a 4-6, 6-4, 10-5 win over Erin Fenn. She also teamed with fellow senior Jacquelyn Cary (Selkirk, N.Y.) at No. 3 doubles for an 8-5 victory over Fenn and Cameron Williams.

Duquesne is 1-1 on the season, but has been idle since losing to Bowling Green, 4-3, on Feb. 9. Johanna Bezjak and Jacqueline Hughes have split the No. 1 singles spot this season. Bezjak is 4-2 while Hughes stands at 3-1. Bezjak also sports a 5-1 overall doubles record.

The two teams last met in Niagara’s season opener on Sept. 11, 2004, with the Dukes winning, 4-3, in Pittsburgh.

Loyola opened its spring season with a 7-0 win over Maryland Eastern-Shore on Feb. 18. The Greyhounds finished with a 3-4 MAAC record and in fourth place last year.

Last year, Niagara won its third consecutive match over Loyola, winning 4-3 in Baltimore.

The Niagara men’s team also looks to end a three-match losing streak. The Purple Eagles suffered their third consecutive 4-3 loss on Feb. 18, falling at Colgate.

MAAC Player of the Week Walter Garcia (Oaxaca, Mexico) sports a four-match winning streak, and records of 11-4 overall and 4-0 in dual matches at No. 1 singles.

Senior Erick Garcia (Oaxaca, Mexico) will be playing for his 10th overall win of the season Sunday. He is 9-5 overall and 2-1 in dual matches, playing No. 2 singles.

The No. 3 doubles team of Walter Garcia and junior Alex Abji (Vancouver, B.C.) are 7-5 overall and 3-2 in dual matches.

Loyola opened its spring season with a 7-0 win over Maryland Eastern-Shore on Feb. 18. The Greyhounds finished with a 1-6 MAAC record and in seventh place last year.

Last year, Niagara won its third consecutive match over Loyola, winning 6-1 in Baltimore.