Leathernecks Fall In Summit League Opener

Western back in action tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. against South Dakota

OMAHA, Neb. – The Western Illinois women's tennis team fell to Omaha 5-2 in the Summit League Opener on Saturday. With the loss, WIU falls to 7-6 and the Mavericks improve to 8-8.

"They (Omaha) were stronger today in the middle of the lineup," said head coach Mirko Bjelica. "We lost a few close matches there, but hopefully we will bounce back and be ready to compete again tomorrow."

The Leathernecks found themselves down 1-0 after dropping the doubles point. Sophomore Natalia Bravo (No. 1) tied the match after beating recent Summit League Women's Tennis Player of the week Michell Lo 6-1, 6-1. The Colombian native is now 7-5 in singles play. Omaha responded and took two single matches in a row. Natalie Lorentz topped Cary Milanes (No. 4) 6-2, 7-6 and Savanna Crowel won 6-2, 7-6 over Ana Bjelica in the No. 5 spot.

Mary Bjelica (No. 6) cut the Mavericks' lead to one with a win in three sets over Ryle Tucker, 6-2, 0-6, 6-3. The freshman now has a team-leading nine victories and is a perfect 7-0 in the No. 6 spot. Omaha's Marie Kapelevich topped Laura Ballesteros 7-6, 6-3 the No. 3 spot to earn the match-clinching victory and stop the Leatherneck comeback. Courtney Lubbers still played out her match and lost to Janelle Wilson in three sets 4-6, 6-0, 2-5.

Up next, Western will continue Summit League play tomorrow and take on South Dakota at 2:30 p.m.

Match Results:
No.1 doubles- Michelle Lo/Janelle Wilson (OMAHA) def. Courtney Lubbers/Natalia Bravo (WIU) 6-1
No.2 doubles- Savanna Crowell/Natalie Lorentz (OMAHA) def. Cary Milanes/Laura Ballesteros (WIU) 6-1
No.3 doubles- Emily Behling/Marie Kapelevich (OMAHA) vs. Mary Bjelica/Ana Bjelica (WIU) 5-2, unfinished

No.1 singles- Natalia Bravo (WIU) def. Michelle Lo (OMAHA) 6-1, 6-1
No.2 singles- Janelle Wilson (OMAHA) def. Courtney Lubbers (WIU) 6-4, 0-6, 6-2
No.3 singles- Marie Kapelevich (OMAHA) def. Laura Ballesteros (WIU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
No.4 singles- Natalie Lorentz (OMAHA) def. Cary Milanes (WIU) 6-2, 7-6 (7-4)
No.5 singles- Savanna Crowell (OMAHA) def. Ana Bjelica (WIU) 6-2, 7-6 (7-4)
No.6 singles- Mary Bjelica (WIU) def. Rylee Tucker (OMAHA) 6-2, 0-6, 6-3

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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