STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
WILLIAMSVILLE — After three weeks on the road, the Niagara Purple Eagles men’s and women’s tennis teams return home to face the St. Bonaventure Bonnies on Sunday at the Village Glen Tennis Center.
The Purple Eagles men’s team has won their last two matches to snap a 10-match losing streak. Niagara edged Mount St. Mary’s, 4-3, on March 18 and Mercyhurst, 5-4, on March 19. Niagara’s top three singles players (Taylan Ozdemir, Felipe Fuentes, Francis Nadeau) are coming off back-to- back winning performances in their matches against Mount St. Mary’s and Mercyhurst. Francis Nadeau was named MAAC Men’s Tennis Player of the Week on March 22. Nadeau went 2-1 in singles and doubles to help the Purple Eagles to a 2-1 record in three matches last week. In No. 3 singles, Nadeau defeated Mount St. Mary’s (Md.) Louis Tonon, 6-3, 6-2 and defeated Mercyhurst’s Joaquin Aguilera in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
The Bonnies won both matches against the Purple Eagles last season. The men’s tennis team is coming in having dropped each of their last three matches to St. Francis (PA), Dayton and Duquesne. Hector Martinez has put together a strong performance at second singles, boasting a 9-7 record, including a 3-1 record in conference.
On the women’s side, Niagara went 1-2 last weekend. The Purple Eagles’ 4-3 win over Mount St. Mary’s stopped an 11-match skid. In their last match against St. Bonaventure on Jan. 30, 2016, the Purple Eagles defeated the Bonnies by a 5-2 result. Shannon Wong will be looking for her third win in a row against St. Bonaventure. Last season against the Bonnies she played fourth singles, defeating Dominique Mortier (4-6, 6-2, 6-3). Since the start of the 2012-13 season, Niagara has won all three of the matchups against St. Bonaventure.
The women’s tennis team has lost its last four matches. Mara Martinez-Santori and Gabriella Bowe will look to continue their strong play at first doubles, as they have won two of their past three matchups at the position. The Bonnies will be looking for their first victory over the Purple Eagles since April 11, 2012, when they defeated Niagara 5-2.
