Feb. 27, 2011

Results

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's tennis team dropped a 5-2 decision to IPFW late Saturday evening at LeClub.

The Panthers (5-4) claimed their two points with a pair of singles wins, as Maddy Soule and Kristin Kurer each claimed victories.

But, IPFW won the doubles point and captured wins in the middle four singles slots to claim the win.

"We knew that IPFW was a very good team coming in. They are a very aggressive team and really put a lot of pressure on you in both singles and doubles," UWM head coach Sean McInerney said. "In doubles we simply got overwhelmed. They came out of the gates really fast and kept attacking at all three spots. Our lack of doubles aggression continues to be a problem for us. But, I thought Beth Ganser and Brittany Skemp really played well in doubles tonight. They looked to finish and really kept us in the matches."

UWM's chance to win the match came in tough battles in the fourth and fifth singles slots. Sammi Schoen dropped a three-set decision at four-singles while Brittany Skemp fell in a 7-5, 6-4 match at five-singles. Meanwhile, the wins by Soule and Kurer came in straight-sets.

"Singles was a battle and the difference was they could finish," McInerney said. "We really moved well and got a lot of balls back, but against good teams we have to be able to generate points, not just hope they miss. I thought Kristin did a great job staying aggressive and attacking against a really good player, and that's how she got the win."

Milwaukee now opens Horizon League play at Green Bay Friday before facing Chicago State in another non-league contest Saturday.

"I am not discouraged by what I saw today. I think every week we are taking a step closer toward competing against the top teams in our league, but we will have to improve everyday to make this a reality," McInerney said. "Developing a winning program is a daily process and I feel we are starting to show signs that we are heading in that direction."