Feb. 9, 2013

Results

DES MOINES, Iowa - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's tennis team dropped a hard-fought 4-3 decision to Drake Saturday afternoon at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.

The Panthers (2-4) won the doubles point and nearly captured the match but dropped a pair of singles contests in three sets.

The performance was still a strong one for Milwaukee, as Drake won 22 matches and finished second in the Missouri Valley Conference a year ago.

"Finally we played with the energy and desire it takes to compete against good teams," Milwaukee head coach Sean McInerney said. "It was nice to watch our team put everything on the line for the team. It was a painful loss that I know will make us better in the coming weeks. We need to continue to improve but effort-wise this was exactly how we have to compete to give ourselves a chance in our conference. I am very proud of the team and know we are getting closer to becoming the team we strive to be."

UWM won all three doubles matches in capturing the opening point of the contest. Maddy Soule and Christina Colarossi won 8-4 in the top spot while Kelly Fritz and Dana Shannon also won 8-4 in the number-two spot. Chelsea Bailey and Brittany Skemp then pulled out a tough 8-7 victory in the third spot.

"I am been increasingly happy with our doubles play and today was the first time all season we have put it together as a team," McInerney said. "We played with great energy and positive emotion."

In singles play, Soule and Kristin Kurer captured straight-set wins to push Milwaukee to the brink of victory. But, Nell Boyd was able to rally for a 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 win over Shannon before Evy Van Genechten pulled out a 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 win over Bailey.

Milwaukee wraps up its weekend in Des Moines by squaring off with UTEP Sunday.

"Tomorrow will be a great challenge against UTEP," McInerney said. "I am looking forward to see if we can maintain this level on back to back day."