NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara tennis head coach Anthony Nguyen has announced the men’s portion of the 2012-13 schedule.
"Patrick (Letson) and I are excited about the schedule we have put together for both squads,” Nguyen said. “Overall, it's definitely a step up in competition from years past and we are hoping that it will better prepare us once we get into conference play."
Niagara starts its campaign at the Bucknell Invitational on Sept. 7-9 and will participate at the St. Bonaventure Invitational from Sept. 28-30. The Purple Eagles will have their home opener on Oct. 6 when they host RIT at 10 a.m. and will play their first conference game versus Rider at 4 p.m.
Selected members will compete at this season’s ITA Northeast Regional in New Haven, Conn. from Oct. 18-21 to wrap up the fall season.
NU begins the spring season with two home matches versus St. Francis (Pa.) on Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. and Robert Morris on Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. The Purple Eagles will play three more matches in the month of February with all three coming away from home – Duquense (Feb. 10), Bucknell (Feb. 16) and Buffalo (Feb. 22).
NU returns home to face NJIT on March 1 and Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne on March 4 before traveling for contests against Hampton (March 7) and Maryland-Eastern Shore (March 8). NU’s first MAAC weekend of the season will be against Siena on March 16 and Loyola on March 17.
The Purple Eagles venture to the New York Metropolitan area two weeks later when they take on Wagner (March 29) and Saint Peter’s (March 30).
NU starts the month of April at Colgate on April 5 before hosting Little 3 rival St. Bonaventure on April 7 at 1 p.m. NU’s final road trip starts at Fairfield on April 13 and Bryant on April 14 and wraps up its home portion against Marist on April 20 and Roberts Wesleyan on April 23.
For the second straight season, the MAAC Championship will be held at the Mercer County Park in West Windsor, N.J.
Niagara is coming off of one of its best season in recent years. The Purple Eagles finished last season with an 11-7 record and was edged in the MAAC Semifinals to eventual champion Fairfield. The 11 wins were the most since the 2002-03 season.
