MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee women's tennis team got the 2024 home schedule started in impressive fashion Saturday afternoon, closing the day strong to claim the 4-3 victory over North Dakota at River Glen Elite.
 
"We prepared well this week, we came in confident, and we really executed on the court," head coach Mark Goldin said. "But most importantly, on the mental side, we knew this was going to come down to a few points here and there. We pushed hard to not get negative and focus on what's working. In the end, we were able to come together as a team and get the win."
 
The Panthers (2-1) opened by earning the hard-fought decision in doubles against the Fighting Hawks (1-5) only to fall behind, 2-1, after the first two singles matches were complete. From there it was all Milwaukee, clinching the match with three straight victories.
 
"We've been working really hard on playing every point separate and only looking forward to the next one," Goldin said. "Today, the team did an amazing job of resetting every point and really pushing their mental toughness."
 
Sara Simonova came up huge for MKE, deciding the match at No. 5 singles with her 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Aziza Aubin. Serving for the match at 5-4 in the third set, she fell behind 15-40 before rallying and sending the Panthers to the victory.
 
"Her opponent loosened up after Sara got up 5-3 in the third," Goldin said. "But she did a really good job of keeping her composure and fighting for every point separately at the end. We knew it was going to be a battle and she really came up big."
 
Simonova also played a vital role in doubles, teaming with Babette Burgersdijk to win 6-4 in the decisive match after things were 1-1 to start the day.
 
In addition to Simonova/Burgersdijk, Iva Stejskalova and Emilia Durska took care of Aziza Aubin/Lucia Rizza at No. 3 by a final score of 6-2.
 
With the doubles point in hand, North Dakota struck back and took the first two singles points to lead, 2-1. Nadiia Konieva quickly leveled things with her 6-4, 6-1 decision at No. 2 over Andrea Jansson.
 
Laure Razet then gave her side the momentum with an energetic 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 victory over Nore Heinitz at No. 4 to set the stage for Simonova in the next match to conclude.
 
Goldin was able to celebrate the home-opening victory with his entire staff on hand, joined today by Madeleine Goldin and Marty Goldin. The team remains at home to close out the weekend, hosting Bradley Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Milwaukee Panthers 4, North Dakota 3
Singles competition
1. Sapir Sela (UNDW) def. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) 6-1, 6-1
2. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Andrea Jansson (UNDW) 6-4, 6-1
3. Jule Schulte (UNDW) def. Emilia Durska (MKE) 6-2, 6-1
4. Laure Razet (MKE) def. Nore Heinitz (UNDW) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
5. Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Aziza Aubin (UNDW) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
6. Lucia Rizza (UNDW) def. Evelina Anastasi (MKE) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Sapir Sela/Andrea Jansson (UNDW) def. Laure Razet/Nadiia Konieva (MKE) 6-2
2. Babette Burgersdijk/Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Nore Heinitz/Jule Schulte (UNDW) 6-4
3. Iva Stejskalova/Emilia Durska (MKE) def. Aziza Aubin/Lucia Rizza (UNDW) 6-2