MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee women's tennis team opened the 2023 portion of the school year with a convincing pair of victories in a doubleheader against Hillsdale Sunday afternoon at River Glen Elite.
 
The Panthers (2-0) topped the Chargers (0-3) by a final score of 7-0 in the first dual of the day and then finished off the sweep by a final score of 4-0 in the second contest, with Anouk Ma-Ajong defeating Julia Wagner 6-4, 6-3, to wrap up the day. The decisions handed head coach Ryan Kucera his first officials victories as a Panther.
 
Nadiia Konieva led the way overall on the afternoon with three wins, going 2-0 in singles play and 1-0 in doubles.
 
"I am truly proud today," Kucera said. "First match of the year brings a lot of uncertainty, and we had half of our team playing their first dual of their Panther career. However, a staple of our program is to really immerse ourselves in the present moment, and we exceled at that today. First match started off with a lot of nerves in the doubles point, but Iva and Alice did an amazing job to play focused and fundamental tennis to put a set on the board quickly. From there we gained momentum on the other two courts and finished off the doubles points well. Our second match, we were intentional to apply adjustments and played more confidently and aggressively within our system."
 
In the opener, the Panthers grabbed the doubles point to start the day but singles was a much tougher challenge. Babette Burgersdijk took care of business at No. 1, defeating Sarah Hackman, 6-0, 7-5 and Giorgia Cavestro handily beat Isabella Spinzaae at No. 6, 6-1, 6-2.
 
"When we moved onto singles, it was time to consistently respond and problem-solve throughout each match," Kucera said. "We didn't always play our best, but when it mattered we really locked in, trusting ourselves and our preparation in big moments. So many bright spots on different courts – but what I am most proud of is everyone contributed to our victories. A true and total team effort. Overall, it's such a fantastic learning experience for our team – we have a long way to go, but the foundation that was set today was a great one."
 
Iva Stejskalova (6-3, 6-4 at No. 3) and Nadiia Konieva (6-4, 6-4 at No.4) each won in straight sets and then the comebacks unfolded for Anika Tylek and Sara Simonova.
 
Tylek battled back after dropping the first set, claiming a 2-6, 7-5, 13-11 with all of her teammates cheering her on as the last match to finish. Simonova flipped the script as well, earning a hard-fought 1-6, 6-2, 10-6 decision, wrapping up just ahead of Tylek's finish.
 
In match two, the team doubles point was claimed after Burgersdijk/Simonova won (6-4 at No. 1) and Cavestro/Konieva handled Canela Luna and Sarah Hackman, 6-2, at No. 2.
 
Playing to clinch in singles, Konieva (6-1, 6-2 at No. 3) and Alice Shields (6-0, 6-3 at No. 5) quickly gave MKE the advantage before Ma-Ajong sealed it with her win.

Up next, the Panthers hit the road next weekend, visiting Miami (Ohio) Saturday and Dayton Sunday.
 
Milwaukee Panthers 7, Hillsdale 0 (Match 1)
Singles competition
1. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) def. Sarah Hackman (HILL) 6-0, 7-5
2. Anika Tylek (MKE) def. Melanie Zampardo (HILL) 2-6, 7-5, 13-11
3. Iva Stejskalova (MKE) def. Libby McGivern (HILL) 6-3, 6-4
4. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Ellie Chawner (HILL) 6-4, 6-4
5. Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Megan Hackman (HILL) 1-6, 6-2, 10-6
6. Giorgia Cavestro (MKE) def. Isabella Spinazze (HILL) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Giorgia Cavestro/Nadiia Konieva (MKE) vs. Megan Hackman/Melanie Zampardo (HILL) 4-4, unfinished
2. Iva Stejskalova/Alice Shields (MKE) def. Libby McGivern/Ellie Chawner (HILL) 6-0
3. Anika Tylek/Anouk Ma-Ajong (MKE) def. Courtney Rittel/Julia Wagner (HILL) 6-3
 
Milwaukee Panthers 4, Hillsdale 0
Singles competition
1. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) vs. Melanie Zampardo (HILL) 7-6, 4-3, unfinished
2. Anika Tylek (MKE) vs. Megan Hackman (HILL) 3-6, 5-5, unfinished
3. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Libby McGivern (HILL) 6-1, 6-2
4. Sara Simonova (MKE) vs. Canela Luna (HILL) 7-6, 1-5, unfinished
5. Alice Shields (MKE) def. Courtney Rittel (HILL) 6-0, 6-3
6. Anouk Ma-Ajong (MKE) def. Julia Wagner (HILL) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Babette Burgersdijk/Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Megan Hackman/Melanie Zampardo (HILL) 6-4
2. Giorgia Cavestro/Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Canela Luna/Sarah Hackman (HILL) 6-2
3. Anika Tylek/Anouk Ma-Ajong (MKE) vs. Ellie Chawner/Isabella Spinazze (HILL) 4-4, unfinished