MILWAUKEE – Led by a pair of impressive comeback victories in singles play, the Milwaukee women's tennis team captured a remarkable 4-3 victory over Oakland despite dropping the doubles point to open the match Sunday afternoon at River Glen Elite.
 
"These student-athletes competed with so much heart and determination today," head coach Ryan Kucera said. "That's what we talk about every day, playing for each other – and each student-athlete left it all out there for their teammates today. We honestly didn't play our best. Our doubles point was a disappointing result. There were understandable nerves, and Oakland deserves a ton of credit for being crafty and giving us a lot of different looks. But every day we talk about how we respond when adversity strikes – and that's exactly what this team did." 
 
The Panthers (7-9, 1-0 Horizon League) got the Horizon League season off and running with a thriller, topping the Golden Grizzlies (4-10, 0-2 Horizon League) with a victory in the final singles match of the day when Iva Stejskalova rallied from way behind in the third set to win the tiebreaker in dominating fashion.
 
"Iva!! She has worked so hard for this moment, and her perseverance was inspiring," Kucera said. "She remained confident in the face of adversity, and was an excellent competitor, both physically and mentally."
 
Stejskalova trailed, 5-2, in the third before putting together a ferocious rally. After tying things at 5-5, she trailed again at 6-5 before breaking Emma Hultqvist back to force a tiebreak. After a back-and-forth start, Stejskalova put her foot on the gas and won 7-2 to pick up the clinching 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-2) decision, with her teammates rushing the court to celebrate.
 
"We couldn't be prouder of her," Kucera said. "Overall, I am just especially proud of the team. Each member made an invaluable contribution to this win, and that's what this is all about."
 
None of that would have possible without a second similar comeback. After taking the opening set at No. 5 singles, 7-5, Sara Simonova found herself trailing by that same 5-2 scoreline before reversing course and recording a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Tegan Heaton to give MKE the 3-2 advantage at the time.
 
Trailing 1-0 to start the day after the Golden Grizzlies took two out of three in doubles, the Panthers righted the ship in a hurry.
 
Anika Tylek and Nadiia Konieva quickly put Milwaukee back ahead, with Tylek routing Nirva Patel 6-2, 6-1 at No. 4 and Konieva making relatively quick work out of a 6-3, 6-2 verdict at No. 2 over Jillian Milano.
 
Simonova's decision put MKE in the driver seat with two matches remaining. Alice Shields battled hard and forced a third set before falling, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, setting the stage for a winner-take-all where Stejskalova sent the team home on top.
 
"Nadya and Anika set the tone for the comeback," Kucera said. "They were laser focused and able to execute their plans consistently. It was a boost getting two points back that quickly. Sara was excellent. After a strong first set, her opponent made a push and she found herself down 5-2.  She didn't let the scoreboard discourage or deter her. To win the second 7-5 and keep her match from going to a third, it was huge for the team."
 
It was Stejskalova and Shields who teamed up for the lone doubles decision for MKE, blasting Isabelle Popma and Emma Hultqvist, 6-1.
 
Up next, the Panthers hit the road for a pair of conference contests, traveling to Cleveland State Friday and Youngstown State Saturday. Action Friday against the Vikings is set for a 1 p.m. CST start.
 
Milwaukee Panthers 4, Oakland 3
Singles competition
1. Yasmin Glazbrook (OAK) def. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) 6-4, 7-5
2. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Jillian Milano (OAK) 6-3, 6-2
3. Isabelle Popma (OAK) def. Alice Shields (MKE) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
4. Anika Tylek (MKE) def. Nirva Patel (OAK) 6-2, 6-1
5. Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Tegan Heaton (OAK) 7-5, 7-5
6. Iva Stejskalova (MKE) def. Emma Hultqvist (OAK) 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-2)
 
Doubles competition
1. Yasmin Glazbrook/Nirva Patel (OAK) def. Babette Burgersdijk/Sara Simonova (MKE) 7-5
2. Tegan Heaton/Jillian Milano (OAK) def. Nadiia Konieva/Giorgia Cavestro (MKE) 6-1
3. Iva Stejskalova/Alice Shields (MKE) def. Isabelle Popma/Emma Hultqvist (OAK) 6-1