Tennis Concludes Non-League Action At SEMO

Western begins Summit League play against Omaha Saturday (March 17)

MACOMB, Ill – The Western Illinois women's tennis team travels back to St. Louis with their 3-match winning streak on the line and take on the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks.

LAST TIME OUT: The Leathernecks were originally scheduled last weekend for matches against Maryville and Illinois-Springfield. However, due to weather the match between UIS was canceled.

Against Maryville on Friday (March 9), WIU found themselves in a similar situation to the last two matches they played, being down early from the doubles point. Senior Courtney Lubbers (No. 2) started the comeback after beating Rebkah Anderson 6-4, 6-1. She now sits at 8-2 in singles and has won seven straight matches. Freshman Ana Bjelica (No. 5) cut the lead to one with a win over Kine Kleppe 6-2, 6-3 to pick up her seventh win. Western tied it at 3 when Cary Milanes (No. 4) topped Lina Kunert 7-6, 6-1. Natalia Bravo (No. 1) then pushed the Leathernecks ahead with a 6-4, 7-6 victory over Sarah Etter. Laura Ballesteros (No. 3) battled in three tough sets to take the match-clinching victory over Sandra Hinterberger 6-4, 4-6, 10-7. Mary Bjelica (No. 6) still played out her match and won 6-2, 6-3. The freshman now is 6-0 in singles play this season from the No. 6 spot.

SCOUTING THE REDHAWKS: Southeast travels to St. Louis with a 3-5 record and 1-1 at neutral sites. Most recently, the Redhawks are coming off a 4-3 loss to Arkansas State on the road. They have wins over Saint Louis (4-3), Northern Illinois (4-3) and Bradley (4-3). Oleksandra Doroshenko leads Southeast with a 4-4 record in singles and has won her last two matches. The teams of Alessandra Maya Thompson and Doroshhenko have put together a team-leading three victories in No. 2 doubles.

SENIOR LEADERSHIP: This season, Courtney Lubbers has led the way for the Leathernecks. She owns a 8-2 record in the No. 2 spot and has contributed to three victories to doubles play in the No. 1 spot. The Wichita, Kan., native went 3-0 in singles play during a 3-match stretch (Feb. 16-18) and recently finished 2-0 against SIUE and Missouri State. Lubbers last lost came against Eastern Illinois on Feb. 3.

UP NEXT: The Leathernecks will now start Summit League play this weekend against Omaha on Saturday at 11 a.m. and South Dakota on Sunday at 3 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Laura Ballesteros: Sophomore; Castellar Del Valles

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

Courtney Lubbers: Senior

Cary Milanes: Senior; Miami Palmetto

Ana Bjelica: Freshman; Homeschooled

Mary Bjelica: Freshman; Homeschooled

Players Mentioned

Laura Ballesteros
: Sophomore; Castellar Del Valles

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

Courtney Lubbers
: Senior

Cary Milanes
: Senior; Miami Palmetto

Ana Bjelica
: Freshman; Homeschooled

Mary Bjelica
: Freshman; Homeschooled