MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee tennis team is set to play its first two Horizon League duals this weekend facing IUPUI and Northern Kentucky. Both matches will be played at home at Elite – River Glen beginning at 1 p.m.
THE BIG THREE: Saturday, April 2 will serve as the Panthers senior day, celebrating
Nikki Milner,
Mayya Perova and
Anika Tylek.
The big three combine for 101 singles wins so far in their (almost) four-year career. They also total 105 victories in doubles play. All three have played an integral part throughout their tenure in helping the Panthers reach the Horizon League Tournament twice in the last three years.
LAST TIME OUT: Milwaukee came up short against the Valparaiso Beacons last weekend, falling 4-3 in the non-conference finale.
The Panthers took an early 1-0 advantage after winning the doubles point, but Valpo rallied in singles to comeback and defeat the Panthers.
SCOUTING IUPUI: The Jaguars enter the dual 2-13 with wins over Bellarmine and Western Illinois.
R-Senior Meghan Bernard leads the Jaguars with a 10-14 overall record and 5-10 dual record. Bernard has been shuffled around in the lineup, but has competed mostly from the No. 2 singles line.
In doubles, the Jaguars are led by Samantha Hayward and Bernard. The duo are 4-8 from the No. 1 line and 0-2 together from the No. 2 doubles line.
SCOUTING THE NORSE: Northern Kentucky has competed in just eight matches in 2022 and are 2-6 with wins over Thomas More and Saint Francis. NKU will play defending Horizon League champions, UIC, before playing MKE Sunday.
NKU returns two-time, second team all-league Maria Koo who enters the match 5-2 – all from the No. 1 singles line. Sylvia Gray and Koo are combined for 10 wins to lead the Norse with five wins each.
CURRENT LEAGUE STANDINGS: Here's what the standings look like after non-conference play:
- UIC 10-3
- Oakland 6-5
- Youngstown State 6-8
- Cleveland State 7-10
- Milwaukee 5-10
- Northern Kentucky 2-5
- IUPUI 2-13
SEASON AWARDS: Mayya Perova was tabbed Horizon League Singles Player of the Week for her performances over Chicago State and Whitewater back on March 12. The senior star went 2-0 and dropped just four games combined.
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
NEXT UP: The Black & Gold are scheduled for just one dual next weekend and will host the defending league champions, UIC. The Panthers and Flames are set to play Saturday, April 9 at 1 p.m. at Elite – River Glen.
