CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Milwaukee women's tennis team opened its weekend road trip with a tough decision, falling to Cleveland State by a final score of 6-1 Friday afternoon at the Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion.
 
The Panthers (7-10, 1-1 Horizon League) dropped the doubles point despite getting off to a good start against the Vikings (10-7, 1-1 Horizon League) to open the match, and then had a much better showing in singles play than the final score indicated.
 
"Despite a disappointing final result, I thought it was one of the best performances on the singles court of the year for the Panthers," head coach Ryan Kucera said. "In doubles, we were the more aggressive team for the first seven games and had an early lead on each court to show for it. However, as they made pushes, we got too tentative, let them take control. It was a good lesson for us, because when we had an aggressive mentality, we got the plays we wanted and were finishing well."
 
The team did not take advantage of its opportunities against CSU, the defending Horizon League regular-season champion which was picked No. 2 in the preseason poll this spring. The Vikings grabbed momentum early, picking up the doubles point with a pair of 6-3 decisions at No. 2 and No. 3 to grab the 1-0 advantage.
 
In singles, Iva Stejskalova continued her hot play, picking up a win at No. 5 with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 decision over Selma Tounsi.
 
"I was proud of our response in singles," Kucera said. "We refocused quickly. We were aggressive right off the bat, and we started well. On a lot of courts, they had to battle just to stay with us. It was high-level tennis on every court, a lot of tactical battles, both teams wrestling for control. It was encouraging to see us be assertive and implement our plans with confidence. Credit to Cleveland State for hanging tough and then seizing the moments when they arose.
 
Two other matches were very close but did not go MKE's way.
 
Nadiia Konieva fell at No. 2 by a final scoreline of 4-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-7), while Sara Simonova battled but fell at No. 6 by a score of 7-5, 6-4.
 
"To win two sets and be within a break on three courts after firsts, we were right there," Kucera said. "I was pleased with our mentality. When things weren't working or they made runs, we stayed present and went right into problem-solving mode. We just kept adjusting and creating more chances for ourselves all the way until the end. Nobody faded, they had to earn each point. At the end of the day, we need to convert more of the opportunities we have, play more decisively and assertively in the big moments. I think the team understands that and is hungry to take the lessons from this and implement them tomorrow."
 
The team will have to bounce back quickly, heading down the road to take on defending tournament champion Youngstown State tomorrow morning. Match is set to get underway at 10 a.m. CST.
 
Singles competition
1. Oihane Vicario (CSU) def. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) 6-4, 6-2
2. Tereze Vevere (CSU) def. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) 4-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-7)
3. Bethany Yauch (CSU) def. Alice Shields (MKE) 6-4, 6-2
4. Sima Heren (CSU) def. Anika Tylek (MKE) 6-1, 6-3
5. Iva Stejskalova (MKE) def. Selma Tounsi (CSU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
6. Filippa Frogner (CSU) def. Sara Simonova (MKE) 7-5, 6-4
 
Doubles competition
1. Babette Burgersdijk/Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Sima Heren/Bethany Yauch (CSU) 4-3
2. Filippa Frogner/Selma Tounsi (CSU) def. Giorgia Cavestro/Nadiia Konieva (MKE) 6-3
3. Tereze Vevere/Ella Franz (CSU) def. Iva Stejskalova/Alice Shields (MKE) 6-3