As anticipation builds for one of the most exciting tennis tournaments, Bucknell University's women's tennis team is set to showcase their skills. The competition will take place from Thursday, April 23, through Sunday, April 27, at J.W. Abrahamson Tennis Courts in Hamilton, New York, with a weather backup venue at Drumlins Country Club in Syracuse. Bucknell, seeded fifth, begins their journey against fourth-seeded Lehigh on Friday morning. This year's championship schedule features thrilling matchups designed to test each team's mettle.

The Bucknell Bison enter this prestigious tournament with an overall record of 10-10 and a conference record of 3-4, following a recent impressive 6-1 victory over Lafayette. Leading the charge for Bucknell is Whitney King, who boasts an outstanding 16 singles victories. In doubles play, both Whitney King and Abby Platt have excelled, achieving 18 wins together this season. Notably, Whitney King continues to make her mark in Bucknell's history books, ranking ninth in career singles wins (62), fourth in doubles wins (79), and seventh in combined wins (141). Meanwhile, their quarterfinal opponent, Lehigh, arrives with an 11-7 overall record and a 4-3 conference record, buoyed by consecutive wins against Holy Cross and Lafayette. Their last encounter resulted in a decisive 5-2 Bucknell win, where they dominated doubles matches and secured key singles victories across several courts.

Throughout their storied history in the Patriot League Championships, Bucknell has claimed two titles, in 1992 and 1994, demonstrating their capability to compete at the highest level. Their last appearance in the championship game occurred during the 2009/10 season, though they fell short against Army. Last year, despite reaching the quarterfinals, they narrowly missed advancing further after a tough loss to Navy. Since 2000, Bucknell has consistently reached the semifinals thirteen times and advanced to the finals six times, showcasing their resilience and determination. As the Bison prepare for another formidable challenge, their spirit and commitment to excellence promise an exhilarating performance that could redefine their legacy within the league.