WATERLOO, Iowa – Dominate doubles play has been key so far this season for the Milwaukee tennis team, and proved its importance once again in Sunday's 4-3 dual win over Northern Iowa.
 
The Milwaukee Panthers (5-4) and Northern Iowa Panthers (2-7) split matches in singles play, but it was MKE's doubles action that won the match for the team.
 
"It wasn't pretty, but we found a way to get it done today," said MKE head coach Jason Potthoff. "All three doubles teams were able to dig in and take care of their courts, which ended up being incredibly crucial. Singles was hit and miss, but we got the four points we needed so we're happy to be able to learn some lessons and get away with the win.'
 
Entering Sunday's match, Milwaukee's doubles teams had a combined 17-4 record, and after sweeping all three matches against UNI, the Panthers improve to 20-4 so far this season. Nicole Clarke and Nikki Milner finished first defeating Harri Proudfoot and Emma Carr, 6-2 from line one, while Anna Daniel Fuentes and Agata finished shortly after winning, 6-4 from line three. Sophomore tandem Mayya Perova and Anika Tylek completed the sweep winning 6-3 over Kim Zizek and Valentina Caro.
 
In singles, Milwaukee took a 3-0 lead when Perova and Daniel Fuentes won 6-1, 6-4 and 6-2, 6-4, but UNI evened the score by winning the next three single matches. Down the wire, senior Nicole Clarke clinched the match for MKE, defeating Emma Carr 6-4, 7-5.
 
Next up, the Panthers will travel to Illinois for a two-day invite hosted by Illinois State. The invite will be held February 29-March 1 and will be held at the Bloomington Tennis Center.