VALPARAISO, Ind. – The Milwaukee women's tennis team grabbed the doubles point to start the match but could not keep the same momentum going in singles action, falling by a final score of 4-3 to Valparaiso Saturday afternoon at the Courts of Northwest Indiana.
 
The Panthers (6-9) nearly swept the Beacons (10-4) in doubles. Babette Burgersdijk and Sara Simonova knocked off Olivia Czerwonka and Moira Silva, Moira, 6-4, at No. 1, while Nadiia Konieva and Giorgia Cavestro took care of business at No. 2, claiming a 6-3 decision.
 
"While we are disappointed with the result today, this was a great learning experience for the team," head coach Ryan Kucera said. "We had our best road match of the season by far. We took a tough doubles point. They had a boisterous crowd and we really silenced them with our aggressive play. Babette and Sara set the tone, they put the pressure on immediately through their serve and return, didn't give their opponents any chances to take control."
 
Iva Stejskalova and Alice Shields nearly helped MKE to the sweep, falling 7-5, at No. 3 doubles.
 
Unfortunately, singles play fell a little flat in comparison for the Panthers overall. Highlights included Konieva improving to a team-best 9-4 this spring with a 6-4, 6-3 victory at No. 2 and Shields also keeping her strong campaign going, winning 3-6, 6-4, 10-8, to move to 8-3 in dual action in 2023.
 
"In singles we did a lot of good things," Kucera said. "Valpo has a distinct identity, and it's tough to deal with. They are great athletes and they make a ton of balls. We had good plans, and when we were committed to our aggressive mentality, we were creating chances for ourselves. But against a team like that, you must be excellent in your finishing ability, and we weren't able to finish as consistently as we needed to find the fourth point."
 
Up next, the Panthers open April with the start of Horizon League play, hosting Oakland April 2. The match will get underway at 1 p.m. at River Glen Elite.
 
"I am very proud of the team," Kucera said. "There was adversity all around, and we never wavered from the things in our control, never stopped competing. Nadya was a killer, pleased with how she stepped up to number two and owned the position. Sara and Anika didn't start the way they would have liked, but they both kept fighting and mounted furious comebacks to try and keep us in the match. Alice was an incredible competitor today, coming back from a set down. She played extremely fearless tennis. This team has a lot of heart, and each match we are getting better. We are excited to keep working for the opportunities ahead."
 
Valparaiso 4, Milwaukee Panthers 3
Singles competition
1. Czerwonka, Olivia (VALPO) def. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) 6-4, 6-0
2. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Jhaveri, Demi (VALPO) 6-4, 6-3
3. Tabanera, Amanda (VALPO) def. Anika Tylek (MKE) 6-1, 6-4
4. Alice Shields (MKE) def. Chapman, Eleanor (VALPO) 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-8)
5. Bertino, Mia (VALPO) def. Sara Simonova (MKE) 6-2, 6-3
6. Sobieski, Elizabeth (VALPO) def. Anouk Ma-Ajong (MKE) 6-4, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Babette Burgersdijk/Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Czerwonka, Olivia/Silva, Moira (VALPO) 6-4
2. Nadiia Konieva/Giorgia Cavestro (MKE) def. Tabanera, Amanda/Sobieski, Elizabeth (VALPO) 6-3
3. Jhaveri, Demi/Chapman, Eleanor (VALPO) def. Iva Stejskalova/Alice Shields (MKE) 7-5