Peoria, Ill. – The young Western Illinois women's tennis team continued to make a strong performance in the final day of the Bradley Invite
"It was a terrific weekend of tennis for us," said head coach Mirko Bjelica. "Everyone on the team that played earned at least one singles and one doubles win against some of the best Division one schools in the region. Our very young team is getting the experience they will need for the Spring season. I am very pleased with the team's effort and look forward to the rest of our competitions this fall."
Both Natalie Malone and Mary Bjelica each finished second in their respective singles bracket. Bjelica fell in the first set of the championship match 1-6 but forced a third set on a 6-4 set two win. The sophomore, however, fell short 4-6 in the final set. After winning her first two collegiate matches, Malone lost 6-2, 6-3 to secure second in the singles White bracket.
In the Kaboom bracket, Ana Bjelica dropped her sets 6-2, 6-4 to tie for the third. Laura Ballesteros rounded out the division and finished in sixth place.
Anouk Maajong lost 6-0, 6-1 in her singles bracket to finish fourth. Newcomer Mia Melnizki walked away with her first win as a Leatherneck. She rallied back from a first set defeat 4-6, to take the next two sets 6-2, 10-0. In the fifth-place match, Megan Tagaloa was outlasted 7-5, 6-4 to wrap up the second test of the fall season.
The Purple and Gold continue the fall slate at the Olivet Nazarene Invitational next weekend, starting on Friday (Sept. 28).
