YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - The Niagara tennis programs split in their first road trip of the spring season at Youngstown State. The women's team defeated YSU, 5-2, while the men's team fell 6-1.

The women's team improved to 2-0 on the season. The Purple Ealges won the doubles point with victories from their top two doubles team - Hilary Hansen/Iva Celan and Maria Ortiz/Ashley Ta. In singles, Niagara earned one point since YSU (0-5) defaulted in No. 6 singles. Vicki Sardellitti won her first singles match of the season with a 6-1, 6-1 win to put NU up 3-0, but the Penguins took No. 1 and No. 2 singles to trail 3-2. Ta's convincing straight-set win, 6-0, 6-1, sealed the match Purple Eagles. 

"(The) girls did a really nice job of focusing and competing tonight," head coach Anthony Nguyen said. "Ashley and Maria played very well and Viki did a nice job of taking care of her match."

On the men's side (0-2), Niagara was edged in doubles. Lorenz Schwojer and Olivier Dufour Coursol won in No. 2 doubles, 8-4, and the No. 1 doubles team of Brandon Gallegos and David Raymond were serving up a break, but fell 8-6. YSU (3-1)took the momentum into singles, winning the first two matches before Raymond won in No. 2 singles, 6-3, 6-4. Gallegos fell in three sets in No. 3 singles to clinch the match for the Penguins.

"The guys lost a very close doubles point and to Youngstown's credit, just did not play well enough in singles," Nguyen said.

Both programs will host the Bucknell Bison on Friday, Feb. 24.