HOMEWOOD, Ill. – The Milwaukee women's tennis team dropped a tough road match against Chicago State Saturday afternoon at H-F Raquet and Fitness.
 
The Panthers (7-11, 1-3 Horizon League) just missed out on the doubles point before the Cougars (11-12, 3-1 Horizon League) rode that momentum into singles action where they claimed five of six decisions to move into a tie atop the conference standings in first place with a 6-1 victory.
 
"Another battle that didn't go our way today," head coach Mark Goldin said. "I want to give a shout out to Chicago State coach Jack Barton. We have been battling against each other on court for 14 years. Today he really had his players ready to play and mentally tough."
 
In doubles play, Nadiia Konieva and Babette Burgersdijk moved to 4-0 in league matches, defeating Manuella Eloundou and Nia Cooper, 7-6 (7-1).
 
Iva Stejskalova and Emilia Durska then almost pulled out the point for MKE but lost a hard-fought 7-6 (8-6) battle.
 
"I am proud of how hard the girls fought today and now that we have seen the top teams in our conference, I am confident that we can prepare for each match individually and win at the Horizon League Tournament," Goldin said.
 
In singles, Emilia Durska came up big, outlasting Nia Cooper 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 at No. 5. At No. 6, Evelina Anastasi nearly pulled out the win but fell, 4-6, 6-4, 10-3.
 
"We will use this week to prepare for our remaining two conference matches next weekend and our end goal all year of winning the Horizon Tournament," Goldin said. "We are all pumped to get back to practice this week."
 
Up next, the team wraps up the regular season on the road next week, traveling to take on Northern Kentucky and IUPUI. Up first is the Norse Saturday, set for a 1 p.m. CT start.
 
Chicago State 6, Milwaukee 1
Singles competition
1. Manuella Eloundou (CHIST) def. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) 6-4, 6-0
2. Katarina Dukic (CHIST) def. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) 6-1, 6-0
3. Sofiya Sedovich (CHIST) def. Laure Razet (MKE) 6-4, 7-5
4. Amina Taibi (CHIST) def. Sara Simonova (MKE) 6-0, 6-1
5. Emilia Durska (MKE) def. Nia Cooper (CHIST) 2-6, 6-3, 6-1
6. Helin Alvarez (CHIST) def. Evelina Anastasi (MKE) 4-6, 6-4, 10-3
Doubles competition
1. Nadiia Konieva/Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) def. Manuella Eloundou/Nia Cooper (CHIST) 7-6 (7-1)
2. Ethel Li/Sofiya Sedovich (CHIST) def. Laure Razet/Sara Simonova (MKE) 6-1
3. Katarina Dukic/Amina Taibi (CHIST) def. Iva Stejskalova/Emilia Durska (MKE) 7-6 (8-6)