The Bradley tennis team competed at the Redbird Invitational in Normal this past weekend and had great results throughout the tournament.
Sophomores Alexandra Hildreth and Anna Belogliadova were crowned champions of doubles flight No. 3, winning their three matches 8-4, 8-3, 8-7(5). Junior Kirstin Hailey and freshman Andra Sirbu finished third in doubles flight No. 1, falling in the semifinals to ISU’s Tijana Zlatanovic and Lana Caculovic but winning the third place match 8-4.
In the singles competition, Belogliadova, Hailey and sophomore Mariia Pukhina finished third in flights two, four and five while senior Maria Bezmenova came in fourth in flight No. 3.
Belogliadova stood out for Bradley, going an impressive 6-1 across three doubles and four singles matches. Head coach Matt Tyler chalks it up to her experience from her freshman year.
“Anna [Belogliadova] played the number one spot for us last year for a significant part of the season, bouncing back and forth between one and two,” Tyler said. “As a freshman, to get those experiences against those good players I think really has helped her this season.”
All but one Brave finished the tournament with a .500 record or better, marking a second straight tournament with positive standings. This pleased Tyler, who was especially happy with the team’s doubles play – an area they have struggled with in the past.
“Our number three doubles team winning their flight in three doubles was really positive for us,” Tyler said. “Last year, we struggled in some of our doubles play, so I am much happier in terms of our doubles play right now.”
Looking ahead, the team will be at the Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championships hosted by Missouri State Oct. 6-8.
