HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Milwaukee women's tennis team dominated doubles play and then rode that momentum into singles action following a tough start in earning a 5-2 victory over Northern Kentucky Saturday afternoon at Five Seasons Sports Club.
 
"We came out strong in doubles with amazing energy," head coach Mark Goldin said. "NKU then reset and came out with an answer in singles, winning the first set on courts one through four. We didn't get down on ourselves after losing the first sets at 1-4, instead we fought even harder."
 
Sara Simonova and Laure Razet blasted Angela Rinaldi and Didi Steenhuis at No. 2 doubles, 6-1. Iva Stejskalova and Emilia Durska then followed suit, taking care of Ashlee Fisk and Catharina Cardosa at No. 3 by the same 6-1 scoreline to send the Panthers (5-11, 2-3 Horizon League) to a quick start against the Norse (5-10, 2-3 Horizon League).
 
After NKU tried to turn the tide, Milwaukee picked up two quick points on the other two courts, seeing Emilia Durska defeat Catharina Cardosa at No. 5 by a final of 6-2, 6-1 and Evelina Anastasi taking care of business against Didi Steenhuis by a score of 6-1, 6-1 at No. 6 to make it 3-0 overall.
                                   
Babette Burgersdijk lost a battle to Ashlee Fisk at No. 1, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), but played a key role on the afternoon.
 
"Babs shifted the momentum of the match for the team when she came back from down a set and 2-4 to win the second," Goldin said. "She didn't close out the third set, but she played a huge role in shifting the momentum back to the Panthers."
 
At No. 2, Nadiia Konieva pulled off an impressive 4-6, 7-6 (10-8), 10-6 defeat of Darya Gneydina and Sara Simonova then bounced back from her first set loss to clinch the team victory after defeating Mariajose Hernandez 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, at No. 4.
 
"Our girls have been doing training on mental toughness all week and it paid off today," Goldin said. "Nadiia fought off five match points in the second set to come back and win in the third and Sara came through with the clinching decision after losing the first set, 1-6. I am proud of the adjustments the girls made from last weekend mentally and can't wait to get back on court tomorrow."
 
Milwaukee wraps up the regular season at IUPUI Sunday, set for a 10 a.m. CT start.
 
Milwaukee Panthers 5, Northern Kentucky 2
Singles competition
1. Ashlee Fisk (NKU) def. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5)
2. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Darya Gneydina (NKU) 4-6, 7-6 (10-8), 10-6
3. Alyssa Cameron (NKU) def. Laure Razet (MKE) 6-4, 6-4
4. Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Mariajose Hernandez (NKU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-2
5. Emilia Durska (MKE) def. Catharina Cardosa (NKU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Evelina Anastasi (MKE) def. Didi Steenhuis (NKU) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Alyssa Cameron/Mariajose Hernandez (NKU) vs. Babette Burgersdijk/Nadiia Konieva (MKE) 4-4, unfinished
2. Sara Simonova/Laure Razet (MKE) def. Angela Rinaldi/Didi Steenhuis (NKU) 6-1
3. Iva Stejskalova/Emilia Durska (MKE) def. Ashlee Fisk/Catharina Cardosa (NKU) 6-1