The Bradley women’s tennis team battled to the last serve but were unable to tally a point in their 7-0 loss to Ball State on Saturday.
The Braves had several chances to avoid a sweep, but fell short in all 7 matches. Ball State took the first point of the night after taking doubles matches No. 1 and No. 3, 6-3, 6-4 respectively.
According to head coach Matt Tyler, the doubles matches are normally a turning point in the competition. “The doubles point is always huge for us,” Tyler said. “It’s a critical juncture in the match and gives you a lot of energy, if you can take them, going into your singles matches.”
The Braves would go on to lose all their singles matches. Freshmen Alexa Brandt and Aimee Manfredo were able to push their matches to the limit, but it wasn’t enough.
“I think very quickly, by a matter of a few points really, that match becomes very different,” Tyler said.
Ball State came out hot, and that was the difference. “They came out more fresh than we were,” Tyler said. “I felt we were a little slow to try and get going.”
Even though the Braves struggled to get a match point, Tyler said there is a lot that the Braves can build on going into future matches.
“I’m happy with the way the girls competed,” Tyler said. “It’s really tough to go on the road and play good teams.”
Bradley returns home for a dual match on Saturday, Feb. 21 against Western Illinois and Green Bay. The matches take place at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Clubs at River City.
