Bradley University Athletics

Wijesinghe, Barbery Named MVC Scholar-Athletes

Malini Wijesinghe becomes the third player in Bradley history to be voted MVC Scholar-Athlete first team three times

2019 MVC Scholar-Athlete Teams

Bobby Parker, Associate AD for Communications Women's Tennis 4/25/2019 11:28:00 AM

ST. LOUIS – Bradley senior Malini Wijesinghe (Apple Valley, MN/Apple Valley H.S.) has become the third player in program history to be recognized as a Missouri Valley Conference Women's Tennis Scholar-Athlete first-team selection and junior Natalia Barbery (Santa Cruz, Bolivia/Evert Tennis Academy) received honorable mention recognition, according to a league-wide vote of the tennis sports information directors announced by the MVC office Thursday morning.

Wijesinghe joins Ariel Decther (2015-16-17) and Julie Erskine (1996-97-98) as the only 3-time MVC Scholar-Athlete first-team selections in program history. Set to graduate next month with degrees in biochemistry, Spanish and philosophy, Wijesinghe boasts a 3.99 cumulative grade point average. Enjoying the best individual season ever by a Bradley senior, Wijesinghe carries a 20-10 singles mark and 17-13 doubles record into this weekend's MVC Women's Tennis Team Championship. She has been recognized a MVC Singles Player of Doubles Team-of-the-Week performer four times in her career and was the national recipient of the 2018 ITA Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship & Leadership Award.

Majoring in industrial engineering with an emphasis in engineering management, Barbery boasts a 3.68 cumulative GPA and also was an honorable mention MVC Scholar-Athlete pick in 2018. Twice named the MVC Singles Player of the Week this season, she became the first player in Bradley Tennis history to complete an undefeated conference season by posting a 5-0 league record at No. 4 Singles. Boating a 21-7 overall singles record this year, her .750 winning percentage is tied for the eighth-best in program history.

Barbery and Wijesinghe have helped the Braves (15-7, 4-1 MVC) to the most successful season in Bradley Tennis history. The team's 15 wins are the most in program history, while the .800 conference winning percentage is Bradley's best ever. Though the Braves were the runner-up in the 2019 MVC regular-season standings, they will be the No. 3 seed for this weekend's MVC Women's Tennis Team Championship and will face host UNI in Friday's 5 p.m. quarterfinal match.

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Players Mentioned

Natalia Barbery: Junior

Malini Wijesinghe: 5' 11"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Natalia Barbery
: Junior

Malini Wijesinghe
: 5' 11"; Senior