MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee women's tennis team put together its best performance in a Horizon League match this season, claiming an impressive 6-1 victory over IUPUI on "Senior Day" Sunday afternoon at River Glen Elite.
 
The Panthers (8-13, 2-4 Horizon League) were dominant from the start, nearly sweeping the Jaguars (9-16, 0-6 Horizon League) while also punching their ticket to the Horizon League Championships next weekend with the decision.
 
"What a fulfilling day," head coach Ryan Kucera said. "I am just so proud. I am extremely thankful for our seniors, Anouk (Ma-Ajong) and Anika (Tylek). They both make an immeasurable contribution each day, both on and off the court. Their presence, leadership, and character has been instrumental to everything we have done so far this season. They are excellent representatives of our program."
 
The team also improved its winning streak over IUPUI in the all-time series to 12 consecutive on the day and moved to a perfect 10-0 all-time at home against the 'Jags.
 
MKE came out firing, winning the doubles point after getting impressive wins at No. 1 and No. 2. Alice Shields and Iva Stejskalova (#1) defeated Meghan Bernard and Samantha Hayward, 6-2, while Nadiia Konieva and Giorgia Cavestro (#2) then took care of Emma Dell and Grace Lampman by that same 6-2 scoreline.
 
"It was an excellent team win," Kucera said. "Our doubles point was clinical. We served and returned well, which set up everything we wanted to do. That created a ton of opportunities and we put them away, shutting the door every time. Iva and Alice were excellent at one doubles, they really worked together to get it done."
 
In singles action, Konieva and Annika Tylek quickly increased the advantage, seeing Konieva blow past Hayward, 6-1, 6-2, at No. 2 and Tylek claiming a
6-3, 6-4 victory at No. 4 over Lampman.
 
"We knew we had to keep up the intensity in singles because IUPUI was fighting for their season," Kucera said. "Nadiia and Anika brought the fire right away – it was critical for them to put two quick points on the board for us. From there, we really grinded through some close sets. I am proud of our focus and determination to finish. So many positives across the board. This is a great momentum builder, and we are excited for the Horizon League Tournament!"
 
Burgersdijk then turned up the intensity in the second set to take care of Meghan Bernard at No. 1, winning 7-6 (7-3), 6-0 to clinch the winning point for the team.
 
Sara Simonova got past Marta Krakowski at No. 6, 6-1, 6-4, and Shields then closed out the day with a victory over Dell at No. 3, stomping a late rally with impressive play in a 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 decision.
 
The win does officially clinch a spot in the Horizon League Championships next week for the program. Official seedings were announced by the Horizon League office this evening. Youngstown State (6-0) is the one seed, with Cleveland State (5-1) the two seed – with both teams getting first-round byes. Milwaukee is the five seed and will take on fourth-seeded Northern Kentucky at 10 a.m. CST Friday at the Varsity Tennis Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
 
Milwaukee Panthers 6, IUPUI 1
 
Singles competition
1. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) def. Bernard, Meghan (IUPUI) 7-6 (7-3), 6-0
2. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Hayward, Samantha (IUPUI) 6-1, 6-2
3. Alice Shields (MKE) def. Dell, Emma (IUPUI) 7-6 (7-1), 6-4
4. Anika Tylek (MKE) def. Lampman, Grace (IUPUI) 6-3, 6-4
5. Lounsbury, Sarah (IUPUI) def. Iva Stejskalova (MKE) 6-3, 6-4
6. Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Krakowski, Marta (IUPUI) 6-1, 6-4
 
Doubles competition
1. Alice Shields/Iva Stejskalova (MKE) def. Bernard, Meghan/Hayward, Samantha (IUPUI) 6-2
2. Nadiia Konieva/Giorgia Cavestro (MKE) def. Dell, Emma/Lampman, Grace (IUPUI) 6-2
3. Anouk Ma-Ajong/Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) vs. Krakowski, Marta/Lounsbury, Sarah (IUPUI) 4-4, unfinished