BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The Milwaukee women's tennis team took care of business against a shorthanded Oakland team, claiming the 4-3 victory Saturday at Bloomfield Township Tennis and Health Club.
 
The Panthers (7-8, 1-0 Horizon League) got the Horizon League slate opened up in style, knocking off the Golden Grizzlies (4-10, 0-2 Horizon League) to pick up the important road decision and start conference play with a victory.
 
"We had a fun time battling in our conference opener," head coach Mark Goldin said. "We came out with great energy and stayed tough mentally throughout the match."
 
The day got started quickly as Babette Burgersdijk and Nadiia Konieva defeated OU's No. 1 team of Isabelle Popma/Emma Hultqvist 6-1. That gave MKE the doubles point, as the Golden Grizzlies short roster on the day due to injury gave the Panthers the win by default at No. 3 doubles to take the 1-0 lead.
 
Singles play saw some great action, led by Emilia Durska at No. 5, taking down Tara Montreuil by a final score of 7-6 (7-1), 7-5 in a match that featured much more than met the eye of the final scoreline.
 
"Emilia was down two set points in first set and won," Goldin explained. "She then went down, 1-4, in second set and won again – she kept her head up and kept fighting and played great in the pressure situations."
 
With a point in hand from No. 6 default, Milwaukee needed one more and Laure Razet came through with the clincher at No. 3, recording a tough 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 result against Isabelle Popma.
 
"We have a few days to rest and one week to clean up a few things before a huge weekend coming up with two big home matches," Goldin said. "We can't wait to get back on court."
 
The team will return home next weekend, set for a busy stretch of conference matches. Saturday the Panthers host Cleveland State, followed by a visit from Youngstown State Sunday. Both matches are set to get underway at 1 p.m. at River Glen Elite.
 
Milwaukee 4, Oakland 3
 
Singles competition
1. Emilia Jarvinen (OAK) def. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
2. Edie Hammond (OAK) def. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) 2-6, 6-2, 6-1
3. Laure Razet (MKE) def. Isabelle Popma (OAK) 7-6 (7-2), 6-2
4. Emma Hultqvist (OAK) def. Sara Simonova (MKE) 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 10-4
5. Emilia Durska (MKE) def. Tara Montreuil (OAK) 7-6 (7-1), 7-5
6. Evelina Anastasi (MKE) win by default
 
Doubles competition
1. Babette Burgersdijk/Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Isabelle Popma/Emma Hultqvist (OAK) 6-1
2. Sara Simonova/Laure Razet (MKE) vs. Emilia Jarvinen/Edie Hammond (OAK) MKE led 4-3, no result/did not finish
3. Iva Stejskalova/Emilia Durska (MKE) win by default