Belleville, IL - McKendree University Women's Tennis battled in a tightly contested Senior Day matchup on Friday at Southwestern Illinois College, but fell just short in a 4-3 loss to the UIS Prairie Stars. The Bearcats honored seniors
Lena Greefs and
Iva Poleksic in a pre-match ceremony, then pushed UIS to the limit with multiple three-set singles matches before the Prairie Stars secured the narrow victory.
In doubles, UIS took the early advantage with wins at No. 1 and No. 3.
Lena Greefs and
Keira Greefs fell at the top spot, while
Emmy Zsigmond and
Diana Calzada dropped the No. 3 match. McKendree's lone doubles win came at No. 2, where
Kristina Bogomazova and
Ivana Milkova earned a convincing 6-1 victory.
In singles, the Bearcats responded with strong efforts across the lineup. Greefs delivered a standout performance at No. 1, battling through a three-set match to earn a key win on Senior Day. Milkova added another point at No. 3 with a hard-fought three-set victory, and
Keira Greefs followed with a clutch win at No. 4, also going the distance in a tight match.
UIS secured the remaining courts, including a three-set battle at No. 2 and straight-set wins at No. 5 and No. 6, to clinch the 4-3 team result despite McKendree's push.
RESULTS
Doubles
No. 1 – Niamh Grogan/Ema Norma Bordean (UIS) def. Lena Greefs/Keira Greefs (MCK), 6-2
No. 2 – Kristina Bogomazova/Ivana Milkova (MCK) def. Alisha Deogaonkar/Maria Garcia Gama (UIS), 6-1
No. 3 – Jane Carter/Cristina Mendoza Romero (UIS) def. Emmy Zsigmond/Diana Calzada (MCK), 6-1
Singles
No. 1 – Lena Greefs (MCK) def. Ema Norma Bordean (UIS), 7-6, 2-6, 6-1
No. 2 – Cristina Mendoza Romero (UIS) def. Kristina Bogomazova (MCK), 6-4, 4-6, 7-5
No. 3 – Ivana Milkova (MCK) def. Alisha Deogaonkar (UIS), 6-3, 5-7, 6-2
No. 4 – Keira Greefs (MCK) def. Niamh Grogan (UIS), 6-4, 4-6, 7-5
No. 5 – Jane Carter (UIS) def. Emmy Zsigmond (MCK), 6-4, 6-2
No. 6 – Maria Garcia Gama (UIS) def. Diana Calzada (MCK), 6-3, 6-3
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
Regular Season Finale
@ UIndy
Indianapolis, IN
Saturday, April 25th