The women’s tennis team kicked off the Patriot League Tournament by defeating Lehigh 4-2. After advancing to the semifinals, the fourth-seeded Orange and Blue fell 4-0 to Boston University to conclude their season with a record of 16-9.

After defeating Lehigh in the regular season, the Bison knew that they would be challenged during the Patriot League Tournament.

“We were sure they would have new strategies and be out for revenge,” Maria Cioffi ’16 said.

The Bison trailed 6-2 in the No. 3 doubles match, but won the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles sets to clinch the doubles point. In the No. 1 seed, Cioffi and Michele Urbinati ’17 continued to show their strengths as a dynamic duo by overtaking their opponents in a close 7-5 victory. At No. 2, Lisa Jouravleva ’18 and Lauren Fishbein ’19 came out with a 7-6 win.

Cioffi continued to shine on the court by defeating the top-ranked Lehigh opponent 6-4, 6-3. Jouravleva and Fishbein also tallied victories for the Orange and Blue by defeating their opponents in No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively, with scores of 6-4, 7-5 and 7-5, 6-0.

In the semifinals, the Orange and Blue came up short to top-seed Boston University. According to the Bison, this was by far the toughest competition on the court.

“Boston University has a good tennis team due to funding (full scholarships),” Melissa Parks ’17 said.

Cijoffi started her singles match by losing the first round 7-5, then tying the next three rounds. This is the second time the No. 1 singles match has gone unfinished.

The Bison had their best record since 2005, with 16 wins overall. Cioffi ended her career with the most singles wins and most combined wins in Bison history, and ranks third in doubles victories. Stephanie Pino ’16 will graduate 10th in all-time doubles wins.