Tennis Claims Important League Win Over Vikings

Panthers beat Vikings for first time since 2002-03

MILWAUKEE – After jumping out to an early lead, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee tennis team fended off a comeback attempt by Cleveland State in an important 4-3 win at North Shore Elite Sunday.

The win is an important one for the Panthers, improving them to 4-3 in the Horizon League this season with one match left to go. Cleveland State moves to 3-3 on the season in league play.

It also marks the first time since the 2002-03 season that UWM defeated the Vikings in the regular season.

"This was a tough win," Milwaukee head coach Maddy Soule said. "We had a lot of certainty and excitement early on after taking the doubles point and the first two singles points. The match switched and Cleveland State started making its way back, winning the next three points. I didn't know what would happen after that, especially with Chelsea (Bailey) trailing, but she pulled it out.

"The match should never have come down to her spot but it did and proud doesn't justify how she made us all feel with the biggest comeback of her career. It couldn't have been a better time for that to happen. Things are looking great as we near the conference tournament and I'm extremely proud of the wins we were able to attain today."

Milwaukee jumped out to a 1-0 lead after a pair of hard fought, 7-6 wins in doubles play. Hayley Marshall and Chelsea Bailey claimed a win at the No. 2 doubles spot, while Mardee Merar and Dana Shannon sealed the point at the No. 3 spot.

That action carried over into singles play right away.

Merar cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 win at the No. 6 spot and senior captain Christina Colarossi took down Princess Gbadamosi 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 5 spot.

After dropping the next three singles points, it all came down to Bailey.

The senior won the first set but was down in 5-2 late in the third. She battled back and eventually won, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 for the huge win for Milwaukee.

UWM closes out its regular season with one more home match – a Saturday contest against Wright State at 12:30.

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Players Mentioned

Chelsea Bailey: Senior

Christina Colarossi: Senior

Hayley Marshall: Sophomore

Dana Shannon: Junior

Mardee Merar: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Chelsea Bailey
: Senior

Christina Colarossi
: Senior

Hayley Marshall
: Sophomore

Dana Shannon
: Junior

Mardee Merar
: Freshman