HAMILTON, Ohio – The Milwaukee women's tennis team dropped its first dual meet of the 2023 season Saturday, falling to Miami (Ohio) on Saturday afternoon at Riverside Athletic Club.
 
The Panthers (2-1) had a tough time breaking through against the Redhawks (3-3), a team coming off a Mid-American Conference regular-season championship a year ago. Despite several strong rallies, the team dropped the 7-0 decision.
 
"Today was a tough, but beneficial learning experience for us," head coach Ryan Kucera said "Our level definitively improved from last week. In doubles, once we got settled, we played well in crosscourt rallies. We held the baseline well and sped them up. However, when a team has great ball tolerance and can absorb our pace, we must be quicker taking advantage of our net opportunities."
 
In doubles, Babette Burgersdijk and Sara Simonova fell, 6-3, at No. 1, while Nadiia Konieva and Giorgia Cavestro were defeated by a final score of 6-2 at No. 2.
 
In No. 3 doubles, Iva Stejskalova and Anouk Ma-Ajong were right in it at 5-3 before the doubles point was claimed by Miami (Ohio).
 
Burgersdijk gave Laura Rico a run at No. 1 singles, falling 6-4, 6-1. Konieva battled Emilia Valentinsson but fell, 6-3, 6-1, to highlight singles action.
 
"In singles, we really battled well," Kucera said. "Immense credit to Miami, they are a well-coached team that played tough in the pressure moments. Our attitudes and competitive spirit never wavered, which is a testament to the character of this team. We've taken some important technical and tactical lessons from this, and we have an awesome opportunity to implement those and respond tomorrow."
 
The team returns to the court quickly, traveling to take on Dayton at 9 a.m. CST Sunday.
 
Milwaukee Panthers 0, Miami (Ohio) 7
Singles competition
1. Laura Rico (MIAMI) def. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) 6-4, 6-1
2. Nishitha Saravanan (MIAMI) def. Anika Tylek (MKE) 6-1, 6-1
3. C. Denysiewcz-Slowek (MIAMI) def. Iva Stejskalova (MKE) 6-1, 6-1
4. Emilia Valentinsson (MIAMI) def. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) 6-3, 6-1
5. Jutte Van Hansewyk (MIAMI) def. Sara Simonova (MKE) 6-2, 6-2
6. Sara Zalukar (MIAMI) def. Giorgia Cavestro (MKE) 6-0, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. Laura Rico/C. Denysiewcz-Slowek (MIAMI) def. Babette Burgersdijk/Sara Simonova (MKE) 6-3
2. Emilia Valentinsson/Sara Zalukar (MIAMI) def. Nadiia Konieva/Giorgia Cavestro (MKE) 6-2
3. Jutte Van Hansewyk/Nishitha Saravanan (MIAMI) vs. Iva Stejskalova/Anouk Ma-Ajong (MKE) 5-3, unfinished