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EDWARDSVILLE – The threat of rain didn’t stop tennis, but made it much stronger.
The rain was on the radar on Saturday and maybe even most of Friday night, so the Heather Bradshaw Invitational was played in a “Fast4” style designed to speed up the game and allow more matches. The sets were played in four instead of the traditional six.
This was a last minute change due to the weather.
Edwardsville opened the defeat 6-3 to Maine South before beating Clayton 9-0 in Nightcap on Friday. The Tigers were scheduled to play with Southwest Conference rival Belleville East on Saturday, but the rain washed away the match.
EHS started the Champions I flight with Hannah Colbert and Alyssa Wise in a duel against Maine South.
Colbert and Wise rarely had abuses together and they showed their chemistry to each other after each point. Regardless of whether the point was for or against them, they came together to encourage and pull each other up, eventually walking away with a double win.
“It’s a really great performance from them,” EHS coach David Lipe said. “They won two girls who are excellent players, and that’s a quality win for them.”
Edwardsville’s other two wins came in singles 4 from Sophie Byron in 4th place and Gabi Hill in 6th place.
“We have a long way to go and steps, but they get better every week and get better,” Lipe said.
On Saturday, due to rain, it was decided to play the second round on Friday.
In the second round against Clayton, Colbert and Wise won their doubles as well as their individual matches.
– The competition is strong and very good, Lipe said. “Thanks to schools like New Trier and Maine South, this tournament is very competitive.”
Edwardsville also collected singles wins from Zoe Byron in 2nd place, Sophie Byron in 4th place, Ella Reed in 5th place and Hill in 6th place.
In the duel, Sophie Byron and Ella Reed won No. 2 and Zoe Byron and Gabi Hill won No. 3.
The tournament is a living memorial to Heather Bradshaw, who died in a car accident in 2005.
Bradshaw served as the girl’s assistant coach for three years before her death.
“Remembering Heather (Bradshaw) is a really big deal for us,” Lipe said.
Bradshaw grew up in Eastern Illinois and was an avid tennis player as a member of the Apollo Conference All-Conference team.
After graduating from the University of Eastern Illinois, Bradshaw began his career at EHS as a speech pathologist and coach, where he was passionate about helping students overcome speech challenges and motivate children to reach their potential on the tennis court.
“It was one of the worst moments of my coaching season when I tried to help lead the team through this terrible situation,” Lipe said.
Lipe added that Bradshaw’s stepfather Dan was present and that the family appreciates the monument.
“It’s a great way to remember him,” Lipe said.
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