MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee tennis team continues its spring season in Grand Forks as the Panthers are set to compete against North Dakota Saturday at 11:30 a.m. (CT) from the Choice Health and Fitness Center.
LAST TIME OUT: Milwaukee went 1-1 last weekend with a 4-3 victory over Wayne State University and a 4-3 loss to Western Michigan.
Senior
Mayya Perova continued to swing a hot racket, winning both singles matches and improving her overall record to 7-1. The 7-1 record also includes a current five-match win streak.
Against Wayne State, and despite not winning the doubles point, the Black & Gold made up for it in singles, winning four-of-six matches to tally a win. Seniors
Nikki Milner,
Anika Tylek and Perova all stepped up, winning the final three points to clinch the match.
ABOUT THE FIGHTING HAWKS: North Dakota finished 2021 9-10, 4-2 Summit, and are currently 6-6. The Fighting Hawks are also on a two match win streak with recent wins over Dixie State and Montana.
The team is led by sophomore Sapir Sela who is 8-4 with a six-match win streak – all from the No. 1 singles line. In her freshman campaign, Sela was named to the All-Summit League Team. She finished 11-7 in singles and posted a 10-8 mark in doubles action.
Freshman Lucia Rizza has compiled an 8-1 and seven-match win streak from the No. 5 singles line.
In doubles, Andrea Jansson and Sapir lead the way as the No. 1 doubles team with an 8-1 record so far this season.
AWARDS: For the Week of February 16, sophomore duo
Greta Carbone and
Iva Stejskalova earned league Doubles Team of the Week. The formidable pair have lost just one match so far and are 7-1 on the season.
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 continues to be on the road with trips to Drake and Northern Iowa next weekend. MKE will take on the Bulldogs Saturday, March 5 from the Knapp Tennis Center, and will follow-up with Northern Iowa the next day. Both matches are set to begin at 11 a.m. (CT)
