Oct. 23, 2003

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Tammie Spiel dropped a pair of matches in the qualifying round of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association regionals Thursday at Western Michigan University.

Spiel dropped her opening match, 6-2, 6-4, to Viviana Rivero of Toledo. She then fell, 6-3, 6-4, to Kristin Messmer of Ohio State.

Both matches were tight, though, and coach Erika Wentz was pleased with how Spiel performed.

"The matches really could have gone either way," Wentz said. "I think Tammie is finding out she can play with a lot of people at this level. Her biggest obstacle is believing in herself."

Spiel will join Shayna Illingworth for doubles play beginning tomorrow.