University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Bradley
Panthers Knock Off Braves; Earn 1st MVC Tourney Win Since 2011
4/24/2015 1:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The University of Northern Iowa women's tennis team scored its first Missouri Valley Conference Tournament victory since 2011 with a 5-1 victory over the Bradley Braves on Friday.
The Panthers improved to 16-6 on the season and will take on the No. 2-seeded Drake Bulldogs in the semifinals on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. Bradley fell to 11-13 overall.
Prior to Friday, UNI's last win at the MVC Tournament came April 29, 2011, when the Panthers scored a 4-0 victory over Creighton. With a victory on Saturday, UNI would advance to the MVC Tournament championship for only the third time in school history. UNI also played for the MVC Tournament title vs. Illinois State in 2005 and vs. Wichita State in 2009.
UNI earned the doubles point against Bradley after locking up wins at No. 2 doubles from Jieke Stroobant and Astrid Santos and at No. 3 doubles from Sydney Wolfe and Gisela Kemper. Stroobant and Santos posted an 8-4 win over Bradley's Ariel Dechter and Aimee Manfredo. Wolfe and Kemper notched an 8-2 triumph over Bradley's Carly Miles and Cassia Wojtalik.
The Panthers were able to close out the Braves early in singles with victories from Stroobant at No. 3 singles, Santos at No. 4 singles, Kemper at No. 5 singles and Wolfe at No. 6 singles. Stroobant cruised to a 6-2, 6-0 win over Bradley's Manfredo. Santos scored a 6-2, 7-5 win over Bradley's Ashley Thai. Kemper earned her 22nd singles win of her freshman season with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Wojtalik. Wolfe disposed of Miles in straight sets 6-2, 6-1.
Bradley's lone singles win came at No. 2 singles where the Braves's Alexa Brandt recorded a 6-3, 6-1 win over UNI's Elvira Lopez.
Players Mentioned
