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Bradley tennis on the way to regionals

Bradley’s tennis team made a name for itself in Iowa at the Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championships, taking fourth overall. With only a few matches left this fall, the women are turning their efforts toward the ITA Midwest Regionals this coming weekend.

The Braves went in to the MVC Individuals with confidence, a mindset Coach Matt Tyler instilled in the girls with the help of extra tennis play this fall taking away the nerves. He said he believes they have come together to create a strong environment that pushes the players in practice and resonates through their competitive play.

“[The University of Northern Iowa match] was the [match] where I really felt we broke out, [and] there’s no replacement for that confidence and match toughness,” Tyler said. “I felt like the confidence level going into the MVC Individuals was really good.”

Bradley’s nine wins at the MVC Individuals awarded them fourth place overall, including sophomore Ariel Dechter’s third place in Flight 2, freshman Alexa Brandt’s fifth in Flight 1 singles and sophomore Ashley Thai’s fifth in Flight 5 singles, in addition to freshman Aimee Manfredo winning her consolation match in Flight 3 singles.

Four of Bradley’s women qualified for the draw at the ITA Midwest Regionals in Urbana, Illinois this weekend, to face some of the top teams in the country, including Brandt and Dechter for singles, and the Braves’ top doubles team of Brandt/Thai. They will play Thursday and Friday with the goal of making it into the main competition over the weekend.

Dechter said one of the best parts about the team is the support she has from her teammates.

“We’re just trying to have as much fun as possible and not put too much pressure on ourselves…because then you try to overthink things,” Dechter said. “[We’re just] taking it one match at a time.”

Coach Tyler said he sees regionals as a learning experience, helping the girls to know where they stand and where they need to go.

With a full slate of matches in the spring, Bradley will compete in an Oct. 26 invitational at Drake to wrap up the fall season. For now, they continue to prepare and keep their focus as they head into the ITA Regionals.

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