Senior Day Success

WIU concludes the regular season with a 7-0 sweep over Quincy

MACOMB, Ill. – Going into the spring season, the Western Illinois women's tennis team was only scheduled for one game at home, and it turned out to be an impressive one.

The Leathernecks honored seniors Maria Bessmertnaya, Courtney Lubbers and Cary Milanes prior to Saturday's 7-0 win over Quincy.

Western wasted no time to jump ahead of the visiting Hawks. Natalia Bravo and Courtney Lubbers limited Sydney Lynch and Rebecca Mclsaac to one point and cruised to a 6-1 victory in No. 1 doubles. The duo now has five wins on the season. Laura Ballesteros and Cary Milanes (No. 2) kept the trend going and topped Abby Moore and Anna Konczak, 6-1, and rounding out doubles play was the freshman and senior duo of Mary Bjelica and Maria Bessmertnaya in the No. 3 spot. They held Rita Konczak and Maria Peterson scoreless for a 6-0 sweep.

Moving into singles play the Leathernecks didn't slow down one bit; all three seniors picked up wins in their last home match. Lubbers led the way competing in the No. 1 spot for the first time all season and defeated Lynch 6-3, 6-1 for her 11th victory of the season. Milanes followed in the No. 3 spot and she held Mclsaac to one point in a 6-1, 6-0 victory to pick up her seventh win. Bessmertnaya (No. 6) cemented the sweep with 6-0, 6-0 scores over Peterson.

While the seniors lead the way, the underclassmen also shined. Ballesteros competed in the No. 2 spot for the first time all season and topped Mclsaac 6-1, 6-0. Mary Bjelica kept her 12-match win streak alive in a 6-0, 6-0 sweep of Konczak in the No. 5 spot. The freshman now has a team-leading 13 wins. Ana Bjelica rounded out singles in a 6-1, 6-0 win over Moore for her 12th win of the season.

The Leathernecks will now gear up to compete in the Summit League Championships where they will play the host Denver on Friday, April 27. First serve is set for 9 a.m.

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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