Panthers End Grueling Road Schedule at SIUE Sunday
 
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee tennis team finally end its eight-match road stint with a trip to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Sunday. First serve between the Panthers and Courgars is set for 9 a.m. from the YMCA – Meyer Center.
 
LAST TIME OUT: Milwaukee went 2-0 last weekend with wins over Chicago State and UW-Whitewater and improve to 5-8 overall.
 
Freshman Giorgia Cavestro clinched the match for MKE with a big win at the No. 6 singles line to kick-off the weekend. Tied at 3-3, Cavestro rallied back from a 6-2 loss and came back to win the next two sets, 6-4, 6-3 and clinch the match for the Black & Gold.
 
Against UW-Whitewater, the Panthers carried the momentum over from the win against Chicago State, and swept the Warhawks, 7-0.
 
SCOUTING THE COUGARS: SIUE have lost just once so far this season and enter the dual 11-1 overall and 4-0 at home. Common opponents include wins over Chicago State, Western Illinois, and Northern Iowa.
 
The Cougars began the season with nine-straight wins thanks Jill Lambrechts, Fbiola Perez, Vanessa Reinicke and Jordan Schifano. The four combine for 34 of the team's 51
 victories in dual play.
 
In doubles, SIUE have only lost the doubles point once to Western Kentucky so far this season. The Cougars managed a win at the No. 2 doubles line, but fell from the No. 1 and No. 3 lines to drop the point.
 
No. 2 SINGLES PREVIEW: SIUE's redshirt sophomore Jill Lambrechts and MKE's senior Mayya Perova is a dual to look out for should the two be parried against each other Sunday. Perova enters the match 12-1 while Lambrechts comes in at 10-1. Both are currently on a 10-match win streak as well.
 
SEASON AWARDS: This week, Mayya Perova was tabbed Horizon League Singles Player of the Week for her performances over Chicago State and Whitewater. The senior star went 2-0, dropped just four games combined, and improved to 12-1.
 
Sophomore doubles duo Greta Carbone and Iva Stejskalova have also collected the league's Doubles Team of the Week accolade twice this season.
 
TENNIS VLOG to North Dakota: Ever curious what it's like to be on the road with the Milwaukee tennis team? Here's a firsthand look of what it was like to travel with the Panthers when they traveled to North Dakota.
 
View the YouTube video 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
 
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: The eight-straight match play on the road finally ends, and the Panthers will finally play at home for the next four matches. MKE will wrap up its non-conference schedule next Saturday, March 26 against Valparaiso. First serve is set for 1 p.m. at Elite – River Glen.