WATERLOO, Iowa – The Milwaukee women's tennis team came through with the doubles point in impressive fashion and rode that momentum into a strong performance in singles play to claim a convincing 6-1 victory over Northern Iowa Saturday afternoon at the Black Hawk Tennis Center.
 
The MKE Panthers (1-1) outlasted the UNI Panthers (0-1) in a tough doubles portion and then went on to take care of business in five of six singles flights after that, dropping just one decision – which did go to a three-set battle.
 
"After the loss to Drake yesterday, the team woke up motivated to get back out on the courts," head coach Mark Goldin said. "Despite the scoreline, every match was a battle today and the work that we have been doing in the gym with Travis (Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Travis Kleifgen) has really paid off in the long matches we are playing."
 
Three Panthers won twice on Saturday, with Nadiia Konieva, Laure Razet, and Emilia Durska all going a perfect 2-0 on the day to lead the charge, as Goldin picked up his first official dual victory as the Milwaukee head coach.
 
"We were fit, prepared, and mentally tough today," Goldin said.
 
The first point was the toughest, seeing MKE claim the doubles portion with a pair of 7-5 victories. Konieva and Razet took care of Darta Dalecka and Lorena Cardosa, while Iva Stejskalova and Emilia Durska finished off Kanyanut Sudsaard and Issa Sullivan to earn the decision.
 
The third was even closer, seeing Babette Burgersdijk and Sara Simonova fall in a 7-6 (8-6) final.
 
Singles saw MKE open with impressive wins from Konieva (6-3, 6-3 at No. 2), Durska (6-2, 6-4 at No. 3), Razet (7-5, 6-3 at No. 4), and Evelina Anastasi, who took down Issa Sullivan 6-0, 7-6.
 
It took Burgersdijk three sets, but she managed the 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory at No. 1 to round out the list.
 
"Looking forward to getting back to work this week to get ready for the upcoming opening weekend of home matches," Goldin said.
 
The Panthers open the home schedule this week, welcoming North Dakota Saturday and Bradley Sunday.
 
Milwaukee Panthers 6, Northern Iowa 1
Singles competition
1. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) def. Andrijana Brkic (UNI) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
2. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Darta Dalecka (UNI) 6-3, 6-3
3. Emilia Durska (MKE) def. Lorena Cardosa (UNI) 6-2, 6-4
4. Laure Razet (MKE) def. Kim Zizek (UNI) 7-5, 6-3
5. Kanyanut Sudsaard (UNI) def. Sara Simonova (MKE) 1-6, 7-5, 10-5
6. Evelina Anastasi (MKE) def. Issa Sullivan (UNI) 6-0, 7-6
Doubles competition
1. Nadiia Konieva/Laure Razet (MKE) def. Darta Dalecka/Lorena Cardosa (UNI) 7-5
2. Andrijana Brkic/Kim Zizek (UNI) def. Babette Burgersdijk/Sara Simonova (MKE) 7-6 (8-6)
3. Iva Stejskalova/Emilia Durska (MKE) def. Kanyanut Sudsaard/Issa Sullivan (UNI) 7-5