MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois women's tennis team plays host to Summit League foe Omaha on Friday, April 7.

WESTERN ILLINOIS LINEUP (Based on previous match):
Singles:
No. 1. Courtney Lubbers
No. 2. Natalia Bravo
No. 3. Anna Daniel Fuentes
No. 4. Laura Ballesteros
No. 5. Jenna Wallace
No. 6. Cary Milanes
 
Doubles:
No.1. Lubbers/Wallace
No. 2. Bravo/Ballesteros
No. 3. Jones/Milanes.
 
NATALIA BRAVO EARNS SUMMIT LEAGUE 'PLAYER OF THE WEEK':
Western Illinois women's tennis student-athlete Natalia Bravo has been named The Summit League Women's Tennis 'Player of the Week', the league office announced on Tuesday (April 4). Bravo collects the honor after helping lead the Leathernecks to their first Summit League victory since 2011. This is Bravo's first league Player of the Week honor and the team's first honor since Courtney Lubbers' on March 8, 2016.

"Natalia Bravo has earned her award the old fashioned way through hard work and dedication," head coach Mirko Bjelica said. "Her smart and gutsy performance this past weekend showed the results of her work and attitude."
 
On Friday at home against IUPUI, Bravo tallied one of Western's two points by handily defeating the Jaguars' Sara Sherif 6-4, 6-3 at the No. 2 singles spot.
 
She followed up Friday's victory by defeating South Dakota's Yuliya Sidenko 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 in the No. 2 singles match on Sunday. Bravo also teamed up with Laura Ballesteros for a crucial doubles win 6-2 versus the Coyotes en route to the Leathernecks' 4-3 victory.

LAST TIME OUT:
The Leathernecks split their matches over the weekend to move to 7-12 overall on the season and 1-1 in Summit League play. On Friday (March 31) Western Illinois lost at home to IUPUI 5-2 and on Sunday (April 3) the Leathernecks notched their first Summit League win since 2011 after defeating South Dakota 4-3 on the road. On Friday, in addition to Bravo's victory, Jenna Wallace won her No. 5 singles match 6-4, 6-3. The historic day on Sunday started with Lubbers/Wallace and Bravo/Ballesteros winning their doubles matches to give Western the doubles point. Bravo's gutsy performance got the Leathernecks rolling in the back and forth match. Ballesteros won her singles match versus South Dakota fending off a second set comeback 6-0, 7-6. Milanes closed out a single victory 6-4, 6-3 to clinch the team win.

HEAD COACH MIRKO BJELICA PREVIEWS OMAHA:
"Omaha has a very solid team that already earned two conference wins this season. Just like our first two conference matches, I expect a big fight that might come down to the wire."

SCOUTING OMAHA:
The Mavericks carry a 6-11 overall record into the dual on Friday. Omaha rallied to edge Oral Roberts 4-3 on Sunday to improve its Summit League record to 2-1. A junior, Michelle Lo is in the No.1 singles position for the Mavericks a team best 10-6 overall record. At the No. 2 spot for Omaha is sophomore, Janelle Wilson who is 8-8 in singles play. In doubles, Omaha is coming off a doubles win best two out of three over Oral Roberts.