Tennis Clenches Bid To Summit League Tournament

Western concludes Summit League play against Denver on April 15.

TULSA, Okla. – Two wins separated the Western Illinois women's tennis team from earning a bid to the Summit League Tournament at the start of their road tirp. The Leathernecks took the first step by defeating South Dakota State 6-1 on Thursday, and then secured a spot with a 6-1 win over host Oral Roberts.

"We did what we had to this weekend in order to make the Summit League Tournament, said head coach Mirko Bjelica. "The girls did it in singles again, excellent effort from everyone in the lineup."

Oral Roberts seemed to spoil the Leathernecks postseason chance after taking the doubles point. Western rose to the occasion and went on to sweep the Golden Eagles in singles competition. Sophomore Laura Ballesteros (No. 3) evened the score at 1-1 with a win over Jovana Antonijevic 6-4, 6-2 and finished 2-0 during the road trip. WIU then took a 2-1 advantage after Valentina Gisbert fell to Mary Bjelica (No. 6) 6-2, 6-2 . She is now 12-1 in singles play this season. Natalia Bravo (No. 1) kept the momentum going defeating Gorana Kadijevic 6-2, 6-4. For the second time this season, Courtney Lubbers earned a match-clinching victory and it couldn't of come at a better for the senior. Lubbers (No. 2) topped Andrea Vasilijevic 6-0, 6-4.

Both Cary Milanes (4-6, 6-2, 10-7) and Ana Bjelica (4-6, 6-2, 10-7) still played out their matches to pick up wins in the No. 4 and No. 5 spots.

This will be the third time in program history the Leathernecks will compete in the Summit League Tournament. Western's last time at the tournament came in 2014, where they dropped a 4-0 decision to Fort Wayne.

Five Leathernecks ended the road trip 2-0 in singles play. The Purple and Gold now have week off before concluding Summit League play against Denver on April 15 in Sioux Falls.

Match Results:

1. Mariia Kuzminskaya/Andrea Vasiljevic (ORUW) vs. Courtney Lubbers/Natalia Bravo (WIU) 2-5, unfinished
2. Jovana Antonijevic/Gorana Kadijevic (ORUW) def. Cary Milanes/Laura Ballesteros (WIU) 6-2
3. Brenda Mercado/Ceijenia Cornelius (ORUW) def. Mary Bjelica/Maria Bessmertnaya (WIU) 6-2

1. Natalia Bravo (WIU) def. Gorana Kadijevic (ORUW) 6-2, 6-4
2. Courtney Lubbers (WIU) def. Andrea Vasiljevic (ORUW) 6-0, 6-4
3. Laura Ballesteros (WIU) def. Jovana Antonijevic (ORUW) 6-4, 6-2
4. Cary Milanes (WIU) def. Ceijenia Cornelius (ORUW) 4-6, 6-2, 10-7
5. Ana Bjelica (WIU) def. Brenda Mercado (ORUW) 4-6, 6-2, 10-4
6. Mary Bjelica (WIU) def. Valentina Gisbert (ORUW) 6-2, 6-3

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Players Mentioned

Laura Ballesteros: Sophomore; Castellar Del Valles

Maria Bessmertnaya: Senior; Akron

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

Maria Bessmertnaya
: Senior; Akron

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

Courtney Lubbers
: Senior

Cary Milanes
: Senior; Miami Palmetto

Ana Bjelica
: Freshman; Homeschooled

Mary Bjelica
: Freshman; Homeschooled