Tennis Splits Season Openers

Western Illinois fell to Creighton before shutting out St. Francis on Saturday

CREIGHTON BOX SCORE
ST. FRANCIS BOX SCORE

GALESBURG, Ill. - The Western Illinois women's tennis team opened the 2017 campaign on Saturday (Jan. 21), with the Leathernecks beginning the season with a 7-0 loss to Creighton before bouncing back and shutting out St. Francis (Ill.) 7-0.

"Both of our matches were a lot more competitive than the final scores show. Creighton was our first match of the season, so some of the wrinkles in our game showed more evidently," said head coach Mirko Bjelica. "Courtney Lubbers, Anna Daniel Fuentes and Natalia Bravo had real chances to win their singles matches, and Maria Bessmertnaya and Anna were up 5-2 in doubles before succumbing in the tie breaker."

In doubles play, Bessmertnaya and Daniel Fuentes battled their Creighton opponents but ultimately lost 5-2 at the No. 2 spot. In No. 1 doubles, Lubbers and Bravo fell 6-1, as did Laura Ballesteros and Jenna Wallace in No. 3.

Lubbers played a hard fought match at No. 1 singles. She forced the tiebreaker after falling behind early but dropped the 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 decision. Daniel Fuentes also battled at the No. 4 spot but fell 6-7, 6-4, 7-5. Bravo (No. 2), Bessmertnaya (No. 3), Ballesteros (No. 4) and Wallace (No. 5) were also unable to collect wins in their respective competitions.

The Leathernecks were able to bounce back in their second match of the day, as they cruised to a 7-0 victory over the Fighting Saints. Bessmertnaya and Nicole Jones took the No. 1 doubles win by a score of 6-3. Daniel Fuentes and Cary Milanes also won at the No. 3 spot, 6-1.

Western Illinois was perfect in singles play as each Leatherneck recorded a victory. Bessmertnaya picked up the No. 1 singles victory 7-5, 6-3. Bravo defeated her opponent in No. 2 singles 7-5, 6-3, while Daniel Fuentes cruised to a 6-2, 6-3 win at the No. 3 spot. Wallace (No. 4) and Milanes (No. 5) picked up convincing 6-0, 6-0 wins while Ballasteros won 8-0 in the No. 6 position.

"Milanes and Jones played well in spots five and six and recorded convincing victories in our match with St. Francis, added Bjelica. "All in all, I would say that this was a good day at the office and I believe that we have a lot to look forward to this spring season."

The Purple and Gold return to action on Sunday, Jan. 29 at Illinois State.

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Players Mentioned

Maria Bessmertnaya: Junior; Akron

Nicole Jones: Senior

Courtney Lubbers: Junior

Jenna Wallace: Senior

Natalia Bravo: 5' 6"; Freshman; Colegio Bilingue Buckingham

Anna Daniel Fuentes: Freshman; La Salle Tarragona

Cary Milanes: Junior; Miami Palmetto

Laura Ballesteros: Freshman; Castellar Del Valles

Players Mentioned

Maria Bessmertnaya
: Junior; Akron

Nicole Jones
: Senior

Courtney Lubbers
: Junior

Jenna Wallace
: Senior

Natalia Bravo
: 5' 6"; Freshman; Colegio Bilingue Buckingham

Anna Daniel Fuentes
: Freshman; La Salle Tarragona

Cary Milanes
: Junior; Miami Palmetto

Laura Ballesteros
: Freshman; Castellar Del Valles