MATCH SCHEDULE
Where: Parkside Fitness – Pekin, Ill.
When: Friday, February 27 – 5:00 p.m.
MATCH SCHEDULE
Where: Parkside Fitness – Pekin, Ill.
When: Sunday, March 1 – 10:00 a.m.
GETTING TO KNOW NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Currently boasting a record of 10-2, the Northern Illinois Huskies are coming off an impressive five-match winning streak, with their latest triumph being a 4-2 victory over Saint Louis on February 15. The upcoming match at Parkside Fitness will mark their first true away game since early February, when they defeated Northern Iowa.
This matchup is particularly noteworthy as it continues a tradition; this will be the 18th consecutive season that Bradley and Northern Illinois meet in a dual match. While Northern Illinois has won the last four encounters, including a commanding 7-0 victory last year, Bradley holds a favorable 4-1 record in their recent home meetings since 2016.
Notably, the Huskies have several standout players, including sophomore Irmak Budak, who leads with an 8-3 record in singles. Both Lucia Yecora and Nataly Ninova have nine wins, mainly on courts three and four, while senior Jenna Horne has secured seven victories. The doubles team of Ninova and freshman Malika Kabdesh is also performing well, with a 6-2 record on court one.
MEETING THE KANSAS CITY ROOS
The Kansas City Roos have had a mixed start to their season. After losing their first four matches, they recently claimed their first victory, defeating Missouri State 4-3 on February 21. Prior to facing Bradley, they will compete against Northern Illinois at Parkside Fitness.
This matchup continues a trend, as it will be the seventh time in the last eight seasons that Bradley and Kansas City have met. In their last encounter, the Braves emerged victorious with a 4-3 win on February 25, 2024.
Kansas City features several players with two wins each in singles play, including sophomore Alessandra Xibilia on court two. In doubles, teams led by Catherine Chrobak with Amal Gati and Sophie Marshman with Alisa Reznik have also achieved success.
A LOOK BACK AT THE LAST MATCHES
In their most recent outings in Michigan, the Braves split their matches, securing a 4-2 win against Oakland while losing to Eastern Michigan. Notable performances included Ruby Tseng and Mariia Pukhina, who both achieved four wins, dominating in both singles and doubles play. Additionally, Anna Belogliadova and Compassion Tsai also showcased their teamwork by winning their doubles matches.
WHAT’S NEXT
Following these home matches, Bradley will embark on a challenging five-match road stretch, starting with competitions against Marquette and Milwaukee on March 6-7.
### Conclusion
As Bradley Tennis gears up for these crucial matches, fans can expect thrilling performances and fierce competition. Whether you’re watching from the stands or practicing your own fitness routine, remember to stay active and support your local teams. Let’s see how the Braves fare against Northern Illinois and Kansas City this month!
