MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Greta Carbone and
Agata Jurczak each picked up wins in singles play, but the Milwaukee tennis team came up short in Saturday's match against the UIC Flames, 2-5, from River Glen Elite.
The lineup was shuffled this afternoon when Milwaukee (10-6, 3-4) took on reigning Horizon League champions UIC (14-5, 6-1). The Panthers fought hard throughout the match, but the black & gold were unable to overcome today's miscues on the court.
Paired together for just the fourth time this season,
Greta Carbone and
Nikki Milner competed at 1 doubles, while
Agata Jurczak and
Lucy Harper teamed up at No. 2. UIC secured the first point, beating the Panthers 6-3, 6-3.
"We gave away a boatload of free points at 1 and 2 doubles and we paid the price for it," said Panther head coach
Jason Potthoff. "No. 3 doubles was up big, but couldn't close it out quick enough to apply some pressure and that's something we can't allow to happen."
In singles, freshman
Greta Carbone earned her 12
th singles victory, defeating UIC's 1, Tamara Malazonia, 6-4, 6-2. With the win, Carbone extends her match streak to four-straight.
Agata Jurczak earned the second point for the Panthers when she went tooth-and-nail with Flames' Nell Arendt. Jurczak dropped the first set, but battled back to win the second and force a tiebreaker. Jurzak and Nell exchanged points throughout tiebreaker, but ultimately, the senior won out, 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (12-0)
"Singles was frustrating because we played well for short bursts but didn't sustain that level long enough" said Potthoff. "When you're not at full strength you can't afford to waste opportunities, and we did too much of that today. Everyone gave an incredible effort, but we need to execute in the crucial moments. I've got a feeling we'll be sharper tomorrow."
The Panthers and Flames are set for a rematch on Sunday back at River Glen Elite. First serve is set for 1 p.m.
