Sept. 20, 2003

Results

WHITEWATER, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee came close to giving new head coach Erika Wentz her first career victory before falling, 5-4, to UW-Whitewater Saturday morning at the Warhawk Tennis Complex.

The Warhawks (3-1) got strong contributions from the middle and bottom of their lineup to hang on against the Panthers (0-1), who were playing their first dual meet of the season.

Margie Van Lieshout claimed a 6-1, 6-4 win over Kristen Chamberlain at number-one singles while Tammie Spiel downed Jenni Stamm, 6-4, 6-0, at number-two singles. Cassie Kuranz added another win to the Panther total with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Mary Steimle at number-six singles while the team of Van Leishout and Shayna Illingworth claimed an 8-6 win at number-one doubles.

But the Panthers couldn't find the fifth point that would have given them their first win. Megan Brown came close, falling 7-6, 7-5 to Maggie Seitz at number-four singles. The third-doubles team of Spiel and Kuranz fell, 8-6, while Illingworth had to pull out of her singles match in the second set due to illness.

"It was a couple of points here and there," Wentz said. "The match could have gone either way. We need to work on playing the big points better."

The Panthers did pick up non-counting wins in the seventh and eighth singles spots. Kristen Bauknecht beat Andrea Alioto, 6-3, 6-3, while Erin Felber downed Stephanie McBride, 6-0, 6-3.

UWM returns to action in two weeks, playing at the Ball State Invitational.