The Belmont University women’s tennis team lost a close match against Bradley on April 4, with a final score of 5-2 in Missouri Valley Conference play at Parkside Fitness in Pekin, Illinois.
This match was important for both teams as they competed for position within the conference. Belmont’s record now stands at 2-15 overall and 1-3 in the MVC, while Bradley improved to 6-10 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
Bradley secured the doubles point by winning both the second and third doubles matches with scores of 6-2. At No. 1 doubles, Belmont’s top pair lost a competitive set, falling 6-4 to Bradley’s Valeriia Ivanovskaia and Ann Hsieh. In singles play, Webster earned a straight-set victory for Belmont at No. 1 singles with a score of 6-4, 6-4 over Ivanovskaia. Jeladze contributed another win for the Bruins at No. 4 singles after recovering from a second set loss to claim the third set decisively.
Other matches were closely contested but ultimately went in favor of Bradley. Popiol took an early lead at No.3 singles but could not hold on through three sets. Tseng put Bradley ahead by defeating her opponent at No.2 singles following a tiebreaker win in the second set.
The Bruins will return home next weekend to host their final matches of the season against University of Illinois Chicago and Valparaiso at Beaman Family Tennis Complex.
