MILWAUKEE – The Panthers opened day one of the Milwaukee Tennis Classic with two doubles matches on Thursday falling 8-0 and 8-6 against Utah State and Louisiana-Monroe.
 
Anna Daniel Fuentes and Nicole Clarke drew Louisiana-Monroe for their first round, but came up just short slipping 8-6.
 
"Nicole and Anna competed really well against one of the best doubles teams in the tournament. I'm proud of the way the girls responded after getting down 2-5. They took the coaching like veterans and made the adjustments necessary to turn the match around," said head coach Jason Potthoff.
 
The tilt came in the last game as Fuentes and Clarke were a no-ad deuce point away from being able to serve for the match at 7-6, but Louisiana-Monroe grinded it out the last few points to close it out.
 
"Overall, I was pleased with our effort in doubles, and I know the girls are hungry to get back to work on it next week."
 
Labina Petrovska and Loren Nelson teamed up against Utah State dropping the match 8-0.
 
The Panthers continue the Classic with singles action that begins Friday starting with Clarke and Nelson taking the court at 8 a.m. Clarke will face Stefana Andrei of Louisiana-Monroe followed by Nelson against Bailey Padgett of Butler. Fuentes and Petrovska follow at 10 a.m. against Mia Jurasic of Arkansas and Yufei Long of Iowa.
 
Friday, Sept. 22
Singles
 
8 a.m.
Loren Nelson (UWM) vs. Bailey Padgett (Butler)
Nicole Clarke (UWM) vs. Stefana Andrei (Louisiana-Monroe)
 
10 a.m.
Anna Daniel Fuentes (UWM) vs. Mia Jurasic (Arkansas)
Labina Petrovska (UWM) vs. Yufei Long (Iowa)