NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKES, ONTARIO - The University at Buffalo women's tennis team began competition in its 2002 spring season on Saturday with a 5-2 loss to Niagara University.

Meaghan Partelow

At first singles, junior Karen Maynard (Poughkeepsie, NY/Spackenkill) fell to Milena Matjevic, 6-2, 6-0. Freshman Michaela Kollarova (Slovak Republic/Bratislava) fell at second singles to Mariam Al-Shikarchy, 6-0, 6-0. Senior Jennifer Wong (Penfield, NY/Penfield) fell to Colleen Willick at third singles, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6). At fourth singles, senior Anne Schule (Snyder, NY/Amherst) fell to Erin Burke, 6-2, 6-1. Freshman Erica Zielinski (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) took the fifth singles victory over Kendra Daigler, 6-7 (8-6), 6-3 (10-8). Senior Meaghan Partelow (Lyons, NY/Lyons) defeated Kristen Christopher at sixth singles, 6-2, 6-4.

"The conditions at the location were very cold," said head coach Kathy Twist. "But the team played well and was able to remain poised and confident dispite the conditions."

Erica Zielinski

The Bulls struggled with the doubles matches. Maynard and Sheri Ugowski (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) were defeated at first doubles by Matijevic and Willick, 8-4. Kollarova and Wong were defeated 8-2 by Bruke and Shikarchy at second singles. Zielinski and sophomore Lisa Wittman (Cheektowaga, NY/ Cheektowaga) were defeated by Colleen Carey and Daigler.

"It was a good first match," said Twist. "It tested out our skills and now we know what we need to work on to get prepared for MAC competition."

The Bulls continue competition in the spring season against the University of Akron on March 9 in Akron, Ohio.