WHITEWATER, Wis. – The Milwaukee women's tennis team put together a convincing victory Saturday, topping Whitewater by a final score of 6-1 at the Warhawk Outdoor Tennis Complex.
 
"The team fought hard today," head coach Mark Goldin said. "We had a few girls out of the lineup for injury and kept to the 'next-up' mentality. Giorgia (Cavestro) was activated in the singles and the doubles lineup at the last minute, and she ended up winning doubles and clinching the match for the Panthers, winning at No. 6 singles. The highlight for sure today was Giorgia."
 
The Panthers (5-5) evened their record on the season by nearly sweeping the Warhawks (6-2), a program that has won the past 17 consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships.
 
"We have a deep team and it was great to see others step up when needed," Goldin said. "We will enjoy this win tonight and get ready for a battle tomorrow against UC Irvine."
 
MKE blitzed the home team on doubles, winning by a final score of 6-3 at both No. 1 and no. 2 before posting a 6-0 blanking at No. 3 by the combination of Emilia Durska and Iva Stejskalova, who have now won their past five consecutive doubles match-ups.
 
In singles action, Evelina Anastasi was the first to finish, taking a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Alex Repplier at No. 5. Durska was close behind, taking care of business at No. 4 by a final tally of 6-1, 6-2.
 
As noted, Giorgia Cavestro stepped up and didn't skip a beat, defeating Sarah Ferguson, 6-4, 6-2 to clinch the victory for Milwaukee. Cavestro also teamed with Nadiia Konieva to win at No. 2 doubles.
 
Konieva had to go a bit longer at No. 2 to improve her win singles streak to nine straight, topping Gracie Ha 6-1, 7-5.
 
Simonova earned the 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 at No. 3 and it all came down to No. 1.
 
Babette Burgersdijk gave Cassie Lee all she could handle, but the reigning WIAC Player of the Year escaped with the 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 10-4 decision to give the home team its lone point of the day.
 
It's a quick turnaround for the Panthers, who needed to head home quickly to host UC Irvine Sunday morning, set for a 10 a.m. start.
 
Milwaukee Panthers 6, Whitewater 1
Singles competition
1. Cassie Lee (UWW) def. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 10-4
2. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Gracie Ha (UWW) 6-1, 7-5
3. Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Kellie Ha (UWW) 7-6 (7-5), 6-1
4. Emilia Durska (MKE) def. Molly Asfeld (UWW) 6-1, 6-2
5. Evelina Anastasi (MKE) def. Alex Repplier (UWW) 6-2, 6-0
6. Giorgia Cavestro (MKE) def. Sarah Ferguson (UWW) 6-4, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Babette Burgersdijk/Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Cassie Lee/Gracie Ha (UWW) 6-3
2. Nadiia Konieva/Giorgia Cavestro (MKE) def. Kellie Ha/Molly Asfeld (UWW) 6-3
3. Emilia Durska/Iva Stejskalova (MKE) def. Alex Repplier/MacKenzie Lindow (UWW) 6-0