Omaha, Neb. ? A gutsy doubles win and strong singles play from two Bradley freshmen pushed the Braves over the top in a 4-3 road win over Creighton in women's tennis action Saturday afternoon.
Playing their second of a three-match road swing this weekend, the Braves fought a hectic travel schedule and a game Bluejay squad for their first MVC win in four tries.
Senior Ashley Morris (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) and junior Elise Montrose (Portland, Ore./Sunset) tallied the first win of the day for the Braves with an 8-4 win over Jennifer Burge and Katie Chiu at No. 1 doubles. For Morris, the win brings her school-record doubles wins total to 49. As a tandem, Morris and Montrose hold a team best 16-12 mark in doubles.
With host Creighton taking the No. 3 doubles match, the Braves needed just one break to take the decisive match at No. 2. Junior Teri Chan (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) and freshman Kim Braun (Racine, Wis./The Prairie School) would get that break, and secure the vital doubles point, in a thrilling 9-7 win over Nicole Thurston and Lou Hurley.
Freshman Erin Krubeck became the second Bradley freshman to win a critical match as she steamrolled Creighton's Lisa Ludwig, 6-0, 6-0, to stake the Braves to a 2-0 dual lead.
Elise Montrose ended a three-match skid at No. 2 with a straight-set win over Nicole Thurston, 6-4, 7-5, to leave the Braves one point from their first conference win.
The Braves had to sweat it out as all-time top ten singles wins players Ashley Morris and Teri Chan were tough-luck losers at No. 1 - 6-4, 6-4, to Katie Chiu - and No. 3 ? 2-6, 6-2, 7-5 to Jennifer Burge - respectively while Jess Sampias (Chatham, Ill./Glenwood) dropped a three-setter to Sarah Grawe, 4-6, 7-5, 6-0.
After the Jays had tied the score at three matches all, freshman Kim Braun announced her arrival onto the MVC scene and provided the Braves with a third crucial win by a newcomer.
Braun locked up with Creighton's Lou Hurley at No. 4 singles and imposed her will after a second set hiccup that saw the host's even the match. Braun returned to form in time for the 6-2 win in the third and helped the Braves escape Omaha with a road win and build momentum heading into Sunday's match at Northern Iowa.
The win moves the Braves to 5-8 on the year, 1-3 in MVC play.
Sunday, the Braves travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa for their third match in three days as they take on the Panthers of Northern Iowa.
Tennis Match Results
Bradley vs Creighton Women
4/8/2006 at
Bradley 4, Creighton Women 3
Singles competition
1. Katie Chiu (CU) def. Ashley Morris (BU) 6-4, 6-4
2. Elise Montrose (BU) def. Nicole Thurston (CU) 6-4, 7-5
3. Jennifer Burge (CU) def. Teri Chan (BU) 2-6, 6-2, 7-5
4. Kim Braun (BU) def. Lou Hurley (CU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
5. Erin Krubeck (BU) def. Lisa Ludwig (CU) 6-0, 6-0
6. Sarah Grawe (CU) def. Jess Sampias (BU) 4-6, 7-5, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Elise Montrose/Ashley Morris (BU) def. Jennifer Burge/Katie Chiu (CU) 8-4
2. Teri Chan/Kim Braun (BU) def. Nicole Thurston/Lou Hurley (CU) 9-7
3. Lisa Ludwig/Sarah Grawe (CU) def. Erin Krubeck/Jess Sampias (BU) 8-5
Match Notes:
Creighton Women 9-5, 0-3 MVC
