Leathernecks Edge SEMO In Final Non-League Contest

Summit League play begins Saturday at Omaha then South Dakota on Sunday

ST. LOUIS, Mo – The Western Illinois women's tennis team edged the Southeast Missouri Redhawks 4-3 in the final non-league match of the spring season. With the win, the Leathernecks moved to 7-5 on the spring season.

"What a match, another close win for us," said head coach Mirko Bjelica. "Mary (Bjelica) had the score tied at three all and came from behind to clinch the match in the third set."

Western started fast and secured the doubles point. Ana and Mary Bjelica in the No. 3 spot won their match by default. Courtney Lubbers and Natalia Bravo fell 6-3 to Oleksandra Doroshenko and Kseniya Zonova. Senior Cary Milanes and sophomore Laura Ballesteros teamed up in the No. 2 spot for a come from behind 7-6 victory over Alesandra Maya Thompson and Kelly Sicha to give WIU a 1-0 advantage to start singles play.

The Leathernecks took a 2-0 lead after Andrea Haines (No. 6) won her match by default improving to 2-0 on the season. Ana Bjelica replaced Milanes in the No. 4 spot and defeated Sicha 6-3, 6-2 to increase the lead by three. This was the first time Bjelica hasn't played in the No. 5 or 6 spot, the freshman now is tied with Lubbers for a team-leading eight wins on the year. Southeast Missouri responded right back and won the next three single matches to tie it up.

In dramatic fashion, the match came down to two freshmen for each school in the No. 5 spot. Southeast Missouri seemed they were going to complete the comeback after Maja Lundell won the first set 6-4 over Mary Bjelica. Bjelica then took the second set 6-4 to force a third set tiebreaker. In the third set, Lundell was one point away from winning the match point, but Bjelica rallied to win 7-6 to give the Leathernecks their seventh victory of the spring.

The Purple and Gold now look to carry their spring success and 4-match winning streak into Summit League play against Omaha on Saturday at 12 p.m. and South Dakota on Sunday at 2: 30 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

Andrea Haines: Sophomore

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

Andrea Haines
: Sophomore

Ana Bjelica
: Freshman; Homeschooled

Mary Bjelica
: Freshman; Homeschooled