MILWAUKEE, Wis. – After two consecutive weekends at home, the Milwaukee tennis team jump back on the road as the Panthers get ready to take the Dayton Flyers Saturday, March 10.
LAST TIME OUT: Milwaukee (3-9) split the weekend against cross-city opponents Cardinal Stritch and Marquette a weekend ago.
The Panthers entered the weekend on two-match win streak and extended it's streak to three with a 5-2 win over Cardinal Stritch last Saturday (March 2). Six matches, including two in doubles, the Panthers won in straight-sets dominating the dual. The following day, Milwaukee's streak was snapped losing to Marquette 7-0.
WHEN & WHERE: The Panthers and Flyers will go head-to-head Saturday, March 10 at the Five Seasons Sports Club in Dayton, Ohio. First serve is set for 2 p.m.
ACROSS THE NET: This marks just the second time Milwaukee and Dayton have met up. The 1996-97 season was the first and only time the Panthers and Flyers went head-to-head, and the Panthers came out on top winning the match 6-3.
Currently, the Flyers are 9-5 and 2-1 Atlantic 10 play. Three of those wins came against Horizon League foe's Cleveland State (5-2), Wright State (4-3) and IUPUI (5-0).
A year ago, the team finished 10-12, 3-2 and lost in the opening round in the Atlantic 10 Championships to Rhode Island, 4-3. Returning to the team are seniors Marlys Bridgham and the Kawamoto sisters.
Tabbed Second Team All-Atlantic last season, Bridgham finished 7-19, 2-2 overall. Bridgham primarily played at No. 1 singles and recorded a 3-15 record in that spot. The senior is currently 7-10 overall this season.
Seniors and sisters Jade and Jackie Kawamoto also return as the nucleus to the Flyer squad. Jade Kawamoto finished 16-9, 4-1 and primarily competed at No. 3 singles. This season, she currently leads the Flyers in wins with a 12-5, 3-0 record. Jackie Kawamoto is currently 7-6 on the season competing primarily at the No. 3 and No. 4 spot. The duo also play doubles together and hold a 10-2 mark so far this season as well.
TURNING THE CORNER TO CONFERENCE: With one match left of non-conference play, the young Panther squad look to capitalize on the experience and preparation gained for Horizon League competition. The Horizon League Standings are as follows:
- UIC 3-3
- Wright State 8-8
- Youngstown State 5-8
- Cleveland State 4-7
- Oakland 3-6
- Detroit Mercy 4-8
- IUPUI 3-9
- Milwaukee 3-9
- Northern Kentucky 1-4
- Green Bay 1-5
UP NEXT: March 16 concludes the Panthers' non-conference schedule as the team face Whitewater at River Glen Elite.
