Belleville, IL - McKendree University Women's Tennis competed across three matches, earning a dominant victory over Southwestern Illinois while facing tough results against Northwest Missouri State and Rockhurst. The Bearcats were able to stretch the depth in their lineup with the sweep against SWIC, highlighted by strong singles performances throughout the weekend.
VS. NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE | LOST, 1-6
McKendree opened play against Northwest Missouri State, falling 6-1 despite a strong effort at the top of the lineup.
The Bearcats dropped the doubles point as Northwest Missouri State swept all three matches.
In singles,
Lena Greefs provided the highlight for McKendree at No. 1, earning a straight-set victory (7-5, 6-1) over Miru Nonaka. Greefs battled through a tight opening set before taking control in the second.
Northwest Missouri State secured the remaining singles matches in straight sets to claim the team victory, but Greefs' win at the top stood out as a bright point for the Bearcats.
VS. ROCKHURST | LOST, 1-6
McKendree continued against Rockhurst in a match that featured several tightly contested battles, particularly in singles play.
The Bearcats nearly secured the doubles point, with Lena and
Keira Greefs earning a 6-4 win at No. 2. However, Rockhurst claimed victories at No. 1 and No. 3 to take the early advantage. Singles play saw multiple close matches that could have shifted the outcome. At No. 2,
Kristina Bogomazova pushed her match to a tiebreak, ultimately falling 10-8 after forcing a deciding set. Similarly,
Ivana Milkova battled at No. 3, taking the first set before dropping a tight tiebreak 12-10.
Rockhurst capitalized on those narrow margins, winning all six singles matches to secure the team result.
VS. SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS | WON, 7-0
McKendree closed the weekend in dominant fashion with a 7-0 sweep of Southwestern Illinois.
The Bearcats controlled the match from the start, sweeping doubles play with decisive wins across all three courts.
Ivana Milkova and
Emmy Zsigmond led the way at No. 1 (6-1), while
Paisley Struewing and
Diana Calzada (6-2) and
Alessia Baiardi and Radville Survilaite (6-0) completed the sweep.
In singles, McKendree delivered a near-perfect performance, winning all six matches in straight sets. Milkova, Baiardi, Zsigmond, Struewing, Calzada, and Survilaite all secured convicing victories, with four players allowing one game or fewer in their matches.
