PEORIA, IL – In opening match of the Missouri Valley Conference season, the Bradley Braves fell to the Illinois State Redbirds on Saturday at The Clubs at River City.

The Braves opened up strong, with the No. 3 Doubles tandem of Malini Wijesinghe and Lindsay Haight powering to 6-0 win. Shortly thereafter, Sandra Maletin and Natalia Barbery clinched the doubles point in a 6-2 victor at No. 1. Bozana Lojpur and Nikki Perlwitz played to completion at No. 3, eventually falling 6-4.

Singles did not start as well for Bradley. Nos. 1 and 6, Maletin and Nina Marjanovic both fell in straight sets within several minutes of each other. Wijesinghe suffered a similar fate, falling in straight sets at No. 3.

Singles 2, 4 and 5 all went the three set distance. At the beginning of each third set, Bradley needed to win out to clinch the match. Perlwitz was unable to seal the deal, falling 6-3 in the third set. Barbery won her match less than a minute later, and Lojpur played to completion winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the last match of the day.

This Bradley team is writing their way into the history books. With their win in doubles, the duo of Barbery and Maletin move into a tie for 9th in team history for career wins by a doubles team. Wijesinghe is also creeping up on several significant records. She now has 55 carrer double wins, good 6th all-time, but just four back of second place. Her next win will tie her for 5th. In addition, her next singles win will tie for second in team history.  

Bradley will hit the road the next two weekends, traveling to play Valparaiso on April 6 and Missouri State on April 14. They return home April 20th at 11 A.M. against Drake. Weather permitting, the match will be located at the Markin Tennis Courts. Admission to all Bradley Tennis matches are free.