PEORIA, Ill. - The Bradley women's tennis team has doubled the size of its incoming class with today's announcement of the addition of three newcomers, freshmen Jessie Bertino (Lockport, Ill./Joliet Catholic H.S.), Monique Graf (Double Oak, Texas/Faustina Academy) and Corey Mattson (Mequon, Wis./Homestead H.S.).
The three newest additions join fall signees Carly Miles, Elizabeth Przystawski and Cassia Wojtalik in a six-player recruiting class that will expand the Bradley Women's Tennis roster to 12 players, the most in the program's 36-year history.
"I feel that we have brought in an outstanding group of young ladies with a lot of talent and tons of USTA and high school tennis experience," said eighth-year Bradley head coach Scott Petersen. Many of these young ladies helped their high school teams to state titles, while some won individual state titles.
"They add much-needed depth to an already very young team," added Petersen. "I am excited to see what they can do once we get them into the competitive season. With these six freshmen and the six returning players, the future is very bright."
Bertino earned all-conference honors as a senior last season while leading Joliet Catholic H.S. to a sectional championship.
"I first saw Jessie playing a local tournament here in Peoria and was very impressed with her fight and ability to adapt her game," said Petersen. "I fell she will bring this same spirit to our program."
Monique Graf becomes the third family member to take on active status as a Bradley student-athlete. Brother Jochen Graf is a junior forward on the men's soccer team, while joining sister Brigitte on the women's tennis team. Monique Graf lettered in both track and tennis at Faustina Academy, where she was her class valedictorian. In addition to winning the district title in the 100-meter dash on the track, Monique Graf helped her girls tennis team to a district title and a third-place finish in the state tournament.
"Monique is a very raw, but talented young tennis player with a tremendous upside," said Petersen. "She has a desire to always do better, which is a great attitude to bring to our program."
Mattson was a four-time state tournament qualifier at Homestead High School and she helped the Highlanders to three consecutive state championships. Her team's most valuable player as a senior, Mattson advanced to the semifinals of the state tournament during her junior year and ended her career with a 114-11 (.912) record, including an 89-4 (.957) ledger in her final three seasons.
"Corey comes from a very strong high school tennis program in Wisconsin," said Petersen. "She has a great skill set and is very athletic, and from her high school experiences I know she is an excellent doubles player."
The Bradley women's tennis team will open its fall tournament schedule by hosting Chicago State, Illinois State, Robert Morris-Illinois and South Dakota in the Hotels at Grand Prairie Invitational Sept. 9-11 at the Markin Tennis Courts.
