MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee women's tennis team claimed the doubles point to open the day and then hung tough against a very good Cleveland State team, falling by a final score of 5-2 Saturday afternoon at River Glen Elite.
 
"I am proud of our effort today," head coach Mark Goldin said. "We did everything we could, so we are alright with the result today. I also give credit to Cleveland State, who came and played solid tennis on the road. They have a talented team and are well coached."
 
The Panthers (7-9, 1-1 Horizon League) needed to be up to the challenge, welcoming the top two teams from the league preseason poll for home matches this weekend. They battled all day long against the Vikings (10-8, 2-0 Horizon League), the program that fell in the league tournament championship last year and topped the Horizon League preseason poll this spring.
 
"We fought every point hard today," Goldin said. "The takeaway was that we are now in the conversation for championship contenders and we know it is doable. Now that we have notes to build on, we feel confident we can make the necessary adjustments for the conference tournament. Now we rest and get ready to go back to battle tomorrow."
 
The start was great, with Milwaukee taking the doubles point with victories at No. 1 and No. 2. After falling behind with a loss to open the match, MKE clamped down to take the other two decisions and grab the 1-0 advantage.
 
Babette Burgersdijk and Nadiia Konieva took down Sima Heren and Oihane Vicario – the reigning Horizon League Doubles Team of the Week – in convincing fashion at 6-3.
 
Laure Razet and Sara Simonova then closed it out shortly after, defeating Filippa Frogner and Selma Tounsi 6-3.
 
Singles competition did not end up going Milwaukee's way, but Emilia Durska was victorious at No. 5 (def. Ella Franz 4-6, 6-4, 6-2) and three other matches went three sets.
 
Up next, Milwaukee welcomes reigning league champion Youngstown State back to River Glen Elite tomorrow, set for a 1 p.m. start.
 
Cleveland State 5, Milwaukee Panthers 2
Singles competition
1. Oihane Vicario (CLE) def. Babette Burgersdijk (MKE) 6-4, 6-3
2. Sima Heren (CLE) def. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
3. Tereze Vevere (CLE) def. Laure Razet (MKE) 6-4, 6-2
4. Bethany Yauch (CLE) def. Sara Simonova (MKE) 3-6, 6-4, 6-0
5. Emilia Durska (MKE) def. Ella Franz (CLE) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
6. Filippa Frogner (CLE) def. Evelina Anastasi (MKE) 6-2, 7-6 (7-4)
Doubles competition
1. Babette Burgersdijk/Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Sima Heren/Oihane Vicario (CLE) 6-3
2. Laure Razet/Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Filippa Frogner/Selma Tounsi (CLE) 6-3
3. Tereze Vevere/Ella Franz (CLE) def. Iva Stejskalova/Emilia Durska (MKE) 6-2