The Bradley women’s tennis team battled against Western Kentucky and South Dakota last weekend, emerging victorious from both matches. The Saturday sweep marked the sixth straight match the women’s tennis team has won.
That winning streak began Jan. 30 as the Braves took the doubleheader against NIU and Valparaiso. The following weekend, the Braves once again took both games against Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and Butler.
“The girls are really playing well,” head coach Matt Tyler said. “We have a lot of confidence right now, [and] we’re starting to hit our stride.”
In the opening match against the South Dakota Coyotes, the Braves were able to notch a few opening points. However, the Coyotes would eventually rally. South Dakota threatened Bradley by taking the first set in each of the four singles matches. Ultimately, the Braves shut the door on the Coyotes, emerging victorious with a final score of 6-1.
“[It’s] a great thing as a coach to see,” Tyler said. “Even when our backs are against the wall, we’re going to battle it, stay tough and prevail in those situations.”
Despite the victory, the Braves could not afford an early celebration, as they faced Western Kentucky to round out the doubleheader. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers were short on players, but abundant in effort.
The Braves took advantage of the short-handed Hilltoppers, winning the match 6-1.
This weekend, Bradley will face off against Western Michigan on Saturday and University of Illinois-Chicago on Sunday.
A win on Saturday would match Bradley’s record for consecutive wins with seven matches. Another weekend sweep would put the 2015-2016 women’s tennis team in the Brave’s record books with a new team record of eight straight victories.
Tyler said the team is just trying to take it one day at a time.
“We try not to look too far into the future,” Tyler said. “We, as coaches, try to make sure that our players are focused on the match at hand.”
Saturday and Sunday will serve as a test for the Braves, as they try and swing for one of the best winning streaks in school history.
