OLEAN, N.Y. – The Niagara women’s tennis team grinded out a 4-3 win over the Bucknell Bison on Saturday night.

"Today was a nice team win for the women," head coach Anthony Nguyen said. "We struggled in doubles and had a slow start in singles. We found a way to get things going and it was great to see both Maria and Iva come up big with the match on the line."

The Purple Eagles evened their record to 3-3 overall and had to rally down a point twice to do so. Niagara lost the doubles point despite winning in No. 2 doubles, 8-7.

NU tied the match when Sarah Hellstern defeated Lydia Colvin, 6-2, 6-1, in straight sets in three singles to improve to 4-0 on the season.  The Purple Eagles fell behind 2-1 before reeling three straight wins. In No. 1 singles, Hilary Hansen topped Maria Cioffi, 7-5, 6-3 to tie the match at 2-2. NU staged rallies in No. 4 and No. 5 singles for the win.

Maria Ortiz battled back after dropping the first to beat Christie Schneider, 6-7, 7-5, 6-0, in four singles. Iva Celan picked up her first win of the spring by rallying from a set down to edge Jen Bush, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, to lock up the win.

Niagara will be back on the court in two weeks to host Manhattan on March 2.

Niagara University 4, Bucknell 3
Singles competition
1. Hansen, Hilary (NIAW) def. Maria Cioffi (BUCK) 7-5, 6-3
2. Elena Vidrascu (BUCK) def. Ta, Ashley (NIAW) 7-5, 6-2
3. Hellstern, Sarah (NIAW) def. Lydia Colvin (BUCK) 6-2, 6-1
4. Ortiz, Maria (NIAW) def. Christie Schneider (BUCK) 6-7, 7-5, 6-0
5. Celan, Iva (NIAW) def. Jen Bush (BUCK) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
6. Stephanie Pino (BUCK) def. Sardellitti, Viki (NIAW) 6-4, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Maria Cioffi/Elena Vidrascu (BUCK) def. Hansen, Hilary/Hellstern, Sarah (NIAW) 8-5
2. Ta, Ashley/Ortiz, Maria (NIAW) def. Lydia Colvin/Stephanie Pino (BUCK) 8-7
3. Jen Bush/Christie Schneider (BUCK) def. Celan, Iva/McCune, Jenna (NIAW) 8-3