MILWAUKEE – This weekend marks the first of five weekends on the road for the Milwaukee tennis team as the team travels to Western Michigan to take on Wayne State University and host Western Michigan beginning Saturday at 4 p.m. (CT) and 11 (a.m.) Sunday from the West Hills Athletic Club.
LAST TIME OUT: The Panthers dropped two, hard fought matches to Eastern Michigan and Marquette a weekend ago, falling 4-3 in both matches.
Senior
Mayya Perova, however, went 2-0 in singles play sweeping both her opponents in straight sets. With the wins, Perova improved to 5-1 overall and is currently on a three-match win streak.
No. 1 doubles team
Greta Carbone and
Iva Stejskalova also had a great weekend together, tallying two wins to remain undefeated at 6-0. The sophomore duo were also named Horizon League Doubles Team of the Week for the week of February 16 for their success on the court.
SCOUTING THE WARRIORS: The Wayne State Warriors are coming off a 7-0 sweep over Northwestern Ohio, and will take on Findlay before facing the Panthers on Saturday. WSU are 3-2 so far this season.
The Warriors finished 12-8 overall and 6-2 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) a season ago. The team returns senior leader Linda Liong who has more than 50 career wins, including 11 victories last season at the No. 1 singles line. She was also earned First Team All0GLIAC honors. WSU also brings back senior veterans in Laura Cazacu and Carla Jewell who are also approaching 50 career victories this season.
SCOUTING THE BRONCOS: Western Michigan are currently 4-4 this season, with wins over Ferris State (2), St. Bonaventure and Bellamine University. In early January, the Broncos took on Horizon League foe Cleveland State and loss, 2-5.
WMU finished 12-6, 6-6 (MAC) in 2021, and return sophomores Ana Guardiana, Karin Hamilton, and junior Lindsey Zieglar. All three reached double-digit wins, accumulating for 40 of 68 wins in singles.
Live scoring vs Western Michigan will be provided
HERE.
2022 Horizon League Women's Tennis Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. UIC – 47 (5)
2. Youngstown State – 43 (2)
3. Cleveland State – 35
4. Milwaukee – 24
5. Oakland – 21
6. Northern Kentucky – 19
7. IUPUI – 7
THE BLACK & GOLD: The Panthers enter the 2022 season with a mix of experience and newcomers. Returning are seniors
Nikki Milner,
Mayya Perova and
Anika Tylek. All three return with valuable court experience throughout their four-year tenure with the Black & Gold.
Also returning are sophomores
Iva Stejskalova and reigning Horizon League Freshman of the Year,
Greta Carbone.
Newcomers include (sophomore)
Babette Burgersdijk who transferred in from Louisiana Lafayette, and freshmen
Giorgia Cavestro and
Avery Durham.
Follow MKE on Twitter and Instagram (@MKE_Tennis) and get to know the 2022 roster with Get to Know the Panthers video series.
2022 SCHEDULE: For the first two months, Milwaukee hits the non-conference schedule hard with strong opponents such as Butler, Eastern Illinois, Marquette, Drake, and SIUE. Out of 15 non-conference duals this season, the Panthers are home just four times before Horizon League play in March.
On the flip side, the Panthers will host the majority of conference play. MKE will host IUPUI, Northern Kentucky, UIC and Oakland in the month of April.
COVID-19 PROTOCOL: Per UW-Milwaukee, masks will be required for all spectators, regardless of vaccination status, at Elite Sports Club. Masks must be worn at all times, except while actively eating or drinking. Masks must completely cover the wearer's nose and mouth. Spectators failing to adhere to this policy may be asked to leave the venue. Children under 3 years old are exempt from the mandatory mask policy.
NEXT UP: Milwaukee has just one dual next weekend as the team heads west to North Dakota on Saturday, February 26. First serve is set for 11:30 a.m. (CT) at the Choice Health and Fitness Center in Grand Forks.
