MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Milwaukee tennis team is gearing up for another big weekend as the team takes on two different opponents starting with Northern Illinois on Friday and Omaha Saturday.
 
WHEN & WHERE: The Panthers will have its home opener Friday against the Northern Illinois Huskies. The match will be played at River Glen Elite (Milwaukee) starting at 1 p.m. The next day, MKE will take on Omaha in Hartland, Wis. with the match being played at Lake Country Racquet and Athletic Club beginning at 2 p.m.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS:
Northern Illinois Huskies: The NIU Huskies finished 5-17 (0-8 MAC) a season ago.
 
The young Huskie squad lose three seniors to graduation and replace them with four freshmen. NIU returns top player Brodie Walker after posting a 16-11 overall record last season. Walker spent time between No. 5 and No. 6 singles.
 
Omaha Mavericks: The Mavericks are already two matches into the 2019 season with a 1-1 record. The team opened the season against Air Force, falling 0-7, but rebounded against Northern Iowa two days later in a 4-3 win.
 
Last year was a record-setting season for Omaha who finished 13-11, 4-1 (Summit) overall and were knocked out in the semifinals of the league championship to South Dakota, 4-2.
 
The Huskies return All-Summit Janelle Wilson who finished the season with the second-most wins on the team with a 13-6 singles record. Wilson also went 14-6 in doubles play with teammate Michelle Lo.
 
A LOOK BACK: Last year, both Anna Daniel Fuentes and Loren Nelson picked up single wins against their upcoming opponents. Fuentes battled with Huskies' Maria Potsi a season ago winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 and Nelson also went the distance defeating Omaha's Savanna Crowell winning 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 1-0 (12-10).
 
LAST TIME OUT: MKE lost a heartbreaker in its season opener to Bradley, 4-3. The Panthers picked up a total of four match wins against the Braves, but the Braves ended with the advantage when they won 2-of-3 in doubles.
 
C'EST FANTASTIQUE: Senior Alexandra Belle picked up league honors for the week of Jan. 22 as Women's Singles Player of the Week. Belle defeated her Braves' opponent  Sandra Maletin 6-3, 6-4 and partnered with freshman Mayya Perova to defeat Bradley's No. 1 doubles team 7-5 as well.

A LOOK AHEAD: MKE will hit the road for its next three dual matches beginning Saturday, Feb. 2 with Butler. The following weekend, the Panthers will take on Chicago State and Valparaiso on back-to-back days.