Box Score PEORIA, Ill –The Western Illinois women's team was topped by Bradley 4-0 on Saturday (Feb. 23) at Clubs at River City.
"That was a much more competitive match than the final score shows. It was also encouraging to see our numbers three, four, five, and six play so hard," said head coach Mirko Bjelica. "We will continue working in order to prepare better for our conference matches."
Western now sits at 2-4 this spring, and the Braves improved to 7-2.
Bradley jumped out to a 1-0 leader after securing the doubles points on 5-2, 6-0 victories in the No. 2 and 3 spots.
The start of singles play saw Anouk Maajong (No. 2) forced to retire due to an injury, giving the Braves a 2-0 advantage. Bradley continued to increase the deficit on a 6-1, 6-0 win over Ana Bjelica in the No. 1 flight. Nikki Perlwitz clinched the dual match victory after a 6-3, 6-3 win over Megan Tagaloa in the No. 5 spot.
Two more matches remain the Leathernecks' final test before the start of Summit League play as the Purple & Gold travels to Quincy (March 1) and Illinois State (March 2).
Doubles:
No. 1 – Barbery/Maletin vs. Bjelica/Bjelica (WIU) 5-2 - unfinished
No. 2 – Lojpur/Wijesinghe (BU) def. Ballesteros/Tagaloa (WIU) 6-1
No. 3 – Haight/Perlwitz (BU) def. Rossa/Maajong (SIUE) 6-0
Order of Finish: 3,2
Singles:
No. 1 – Sandra Maletin (BU) def. Ana Bjelica (WIU) 6-1, 6-0
No. 3 – Malini Wijesinghe (BU) vs. Mary Bjelica (WIU) 7-6 (4), 3-1 - unfinished
No. 6 – Victoria Gonzalez (BU) vs. Camryn Rossa (WIU) 6-3, 0-1 - unfinished
Order of Finish: 2,1,5
