Tennis Returns To Summit League Play On Thursday

WIU travels to Tulsa to take on Oral Roberts and South Dakota State

MACOMB, Ill – After 10 days off, the Western Illinois women's tennis team returns to Summit League play on Thursday against South Dakota State and finishing with host Oral Roberts on Saturday, both matches begin at 1:30 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT: The Leathernecks dropped the first two matches of Summit League play to Omaha and South Dakota.

Against Omaha, Western 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 Mavericks responded and took two single matches in a row. Mary Bjelica (No. 6) cut the Mavericks' lead to one with a win in three sets 6-2, 0-6, 6-3. 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.

WIU finished with League play taking on South Dakota. The Coyotes started fast and secured the doubles point. Then took a 2-0 lead after Laura Ballesteros lost to in the No. 3 spot. Western got on the board with Ana Bjelica (No. 5) defeating Luana Stanciu 6-2, 6-4. At the score 2-1, South Dakota took the next three singles matches to earn their second League win of the season. Mary Bjelica (No. 6) still played out here match and won in three sets 4-6, 7-6, 10-8. She finished the weekend 2-0 in singles play with each win coming in three sets.

HEAD COACH MIRKO BJELICA ON RESUMING LEAGUE PLAY: "We have a had a weekend of rest to get ready for our upcoming matches with South Dakota State and Oral Roberts. In order to make the Summit League tournament we will need to win both matches and all the indications are that the matches will be close in scores. We are looking forward to the challenges and the positive outcomes."

ADDING TO THE HARDWARE: Natalia Bravo was named to the preseason Summit League 'Players to Watch' list after posting a 13-10 record in No. 2 singles. The Colombian native was also named Summit League Newcomer of the Year, League Academic Honor Roll and received All-League honors. Recently, Bravo finished the fall season on a strong note by winning two matches at the ITA Central Regionals. She wrapped up the fall slate by putting together a 4-3 record in the No. 1 singles spot, contributing to four wins in No. 1 double plays as well. Bravo moved into the No. 1 spot this season and owns a 7-6 record.

SENIOR LEADERSHIP: This season, Courtney Lubbers has led the way for the Leathernecks. She owns an 8-5 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 finished 2-0 during a 2-match stretch (March 2-3). Lubbers also has a match-clinching victory to her resume this year against Missouri State.

COACHING SUCCESS: Third-year head coach Mirko Bjelica looks to keep the trend of improving each season. Last year, he coached the Leathernecks to a 9-14 record overall and 3-3 mark in Summit League play. That was their best league record since the 2009-2010 season after finishing 6-13 overall record and 0-6 in League play the year before.

WINNING POSITIONS: Western has winning records in the No. 1, 2, 5 and 6 single spots.

FRESH POWER: Both Ana Bjelica and Mary Bjelica have already made a big impact during their first season as Leatherneck. They each are tied with Senior Lubbers for a team-leading eight wins in singles. Ana owns a 7-3 record in the No. 5 spot and has also won in the No. 4 and 5 spot. Mary is a perfect 8-0 in the No. 6 spot and has two wins in the No. 5 spot. The freshmen have teamed up in doubles to put together three wins.

SCOUTING THE JACKRABBITS: South Dakota State travels to Tulsa with a 0-13 record. They will open up against Western for their first League game of the year. The Jackrabbits are coming off a 7-0 loss to North Dakota on the road.

SCOUTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES: Oral Roberts will host Denver, South Dakota State and Western Illinois over the weekend. They are currently 8-10 and 0-2 in League play this season with losses against South Dakota and Omaha and recently fell to No. 49 Oklahoma on the road.

UP NEXT: The Leathernecks will take a week off before resuming Summit League play against Denver on the road on April 15.

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Players Mentioned

Laura Ballesteros: Sophomore; Castellar Del Valles

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

Courtney Lubbers: Senior

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

Ana Bjelica
: Freshman; Homeschooled

Mary Bjelica
: Freshman; Homeschooled