MIAMISBURG, Ohio – Improved results in singles action highlighted the way Sunday for the Milwaukee women's tennis team despite dropping a 5-2 decision to Dayton at South Regency Tennis Center.
 
The Panthers (2-2) nearly earned the majority of singles decisions against the Flyers (1-2), getting victories from both Nadiia Konieva and Anouk Ma-Ajong as well as a tough, hard-fought loss by Sara Simonova and a closely-contested match-up from Anika Tylek.
 
"Today was a battle," head coach Ryan Kucera said. "It was an extremely intense environment from start to finish. Credit to Dayton in doubles, they were fantastic at the net. In singles, it was a fierce battle on every court. We improved our physicality a ton from yesterday, as well as our tactical awareness."
 
Ma-Ajong cruised at No. 6, topping Jordan Mitchell 6-3, 6-1. Konieva needed to work extra, hanging on to defeat Laura Greb by a final score of 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4), in back-to-back tie-breakers.
 
"Credit to Anouk, she played such a smart and disciplined match for us at No. 6," Kucera said. "We showed improvement on every court, and we did a fantastic job to keep our heads and compete with character in a tough road environment. These types of experiences, while painful now, will pay off for us later."
 
Two of the other matches could have gone either way. Simonova forced a third set but came up just short against Erica Wojcikiewicz, 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-5). Meanwhile, Tylek fought hard but fell, 6-4, 6-4, at No. 2. The Panthers did drop the doubles point to Dayton to start the day.
 
Up next, the Panthers battle in-state rival Wisconsin Thursday Feb. 2, before returning home to host Illinois State Feb. 4.
 
Milwaukee Panthers 2 vs. Dayton 5
Singles competition
1. Natalie Osiecki (UD) def. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) 6-3, 6-0
2. Neena Katauskas (UD) def. Anika Tylek (MKE) 6-4, 6-4
3. Elizabeth Hamilton (UD) def. Iva Stejskalova (MKE) 6-1, 6-1
4. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Laura Greb (UD) 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4)
5. Erica Wojcikiewicz (UD) def. Sara Simonova (MKE) 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-5)
6. Anouk Ma-Ajong (MKE) def. Jordan Mitchell (UD) 6-3, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. Natalie Osiecki/Neena Katauskas (UD) def. Babette Burgersdijk/Sara Simonova (MKE) 6-3
2. Laura Greb/Erica Wojcikiewicz (UD) vs. Nadiia Konieva/Giorgia Cavestro (MKE) 5-3, unfinished
3. Elizabeth Hamilton/Jordan Mitchell (UD) def. Iva Stejskalova/Anouk Ma-Ajong (MKE) 6-0