WILLIAMSVILLE, NY – Agnese Ceccarelli (Arezzo, Italy/Liceo Classico Francesco Petrarca) and Laila Fishman (Marlboro, NJ/Marlboro) won three-set singles matches at the top two flights, but the Rider University women's tennis team fell at Niagara, 5-2, to open conference play Friday night. With the loss, the Broncs drop to 2-10 (0-1 MAAC), while the Purple Eagles are now 7-9 (3-0 MAAC).

The Purple Eagles took a 1-0 lead, sweeping the doubles point despite a pair of very close matches at Nos. 2 and 3. Avery Oppenheim (Marietta, GA/Walton/Georgia Connections) and Elle Catanzarite (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) fell in the closest match, a 7-6 setback to Gabriela Melo and Coral Rodriguez at No. 2, while Jaida Borg and Enrica Favaron defeated Samantha Killin (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) and Daniela Naves (Alvarado, Mexico/Club Med Academies), 6-4, at No. 3.

In singles, with the match already decided, both Fishman and Ceccarelli's matches went to third sets with both Broncs earning tiebreaker victories. Fishman took her win over Elena Mayet, 7-6, 2-6, 10-8, at No. 1, while Ceccarelli got past Rodriguez, 6-3, 5-7, 11-9, at No. 2. Niagara won the remaining four singles flights in straight sets.

"Laila and Agnese fought hard and never gave up," said Rider Head Coach Tom Battaglia. "They both got tough during critical moments. Really happy for them to pull out gutsy wins. Rest of the lineup didn't stay as disciplined as we wanted them to be. We need to be better prepared going forward."

The Broncs return to action Monday, when they play host to Loyola (Md.). First serve from Lawrenceville is scheduled for 2 p.m.