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Singles dominance propels tennis to victory

Bradley tennis defeated Missouri State on the road this past Sunday, winning 5-2. The team is one win away from tying the record for most wins in a season, set in 1993.

Multiple players have made their mark in the program record book this year and head coach Matt Tyler said he was extremely proud of his players’ historic accomplishments.

“I have always known what this team is capable of,” Tyler said. “I’m very proud of the effort they’ve put in all season long. It’s a product of a lot of hard work and determination.” 

After losing the doubles point, Bradley’s top five players each won their singles matches, guaranteeing the team victory. z

Senior Malini Wijesinghe was victorious against the Bears, winning 6-2, 6-4 in the first and third sets. Wijesinghe moved into second on Bradley’s all-time singles win list with 74 career victories.

No. 2 Bozana Lojpur won her match by recording 6-1, 6-4 in the first and third sets respectively.

With her victory, Lojpur tied former player Ariel Dechter’s single-season school record of 14 wins at the No. 2 position.

With two regular season matches remaining, Lojpur is two wins away from tying the Bradley freshman record for most singles wins in a season set by Wijesinghe and former player Aimee Manfredo.

Lojpur credited her success to the encouragement she receives.

“I love Coach [Tyler] a lot and my teammates,” Lojpur said. “They’ve been very supportive over the whole season, and it’s very motivating to have a whole team standing behind you.”

Sophomore Sandra Maletin followed Lojpur’s historic win with a two-set victory at the No. 1 position, winning 6-3, 6-2. Maletin’s .750 winning percentage is the highest of any Bradley player who has faced only DI opponents during a season.

Junior Natalia Barbery dropped her first set on Sunday but recovered in the final two sets with 6-2, 6-1 victories. With 10 wins this year, she tied the record for second-most singles victories in Bradley history at the No. 4 position.

Bradley’s next match will be played 11 a.m. on April 20 at the Markin Tennis Courts versus Drake.

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