MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee women's tennis team started the day strong with the doubles point but came up just short in the end when St. Thomas clinched the match on the final remaining singles court to escape with the 4-3 victory Sunday afternoon at River Glen Elite.
 
The Panthers (3-6), who had won two of their past three, were looking to extend that streak but the Tommies (4-3) had different ideas, claiming the final three points of the day to sneak the win.
 
"The girls fought hard today," head coach Mark Goldin said, "It was a fun battle, and, in the end, St. Thomas earned it by a few points. It was great to have senior Laure Razet back on court and get a win in her first singles match of the year."
 
Doubles was all MKE, with the No. 1 team of Emilia Durska and Nel Van Hout taking care of Emilia Korseth and Caroline Lindahl, 6-2. Right behind was the No. 2 tandem of Nadiia Konieva and Sara Simonova, claiming the 6-3 to earn the team point.
 
Singles were back-and-forth the rest of the way. Milwaukee got a win from Konieva at No. 2, outlasting Anna Sidorenko 6-3, 7-5. Laure Razet also made a welcomed return from injury, picking up the victory at No. 6 singles by a 6-4, 6-4 scoreline.
 
St. Thomas grabbed the decisions at No. 4 and No. 3 and picked up a big one at the top of the lineup, snapping what was an eight-match win streak that Van Hout had in singles play, dating back to the fall season.
 
It came down to Honoka Yamashita at No. 5, who was in a real battle with Else Vander Stichele. Honoko served three match points in the third set, but Vander Stichele was able to outlast her for the 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 decision and the clinch.
 
"Nadiia won both singles and doubles and Honoka played a great match," Goldin said. "I am proud of the team on how hard it fought. The girls are really showing they enjoy the grind and love the pressure situations. We can't wait to get back on court."
 
Up next, the Panthers hit the road next weekend, traveling to take on Northern Iowa Friday and Western Illinois Saturday.
 
St. Thomas 4, Milwaukee 3
Singles competition
1. Caroline Lindahl (UST) def. Nel Van Hout (MKE) 7-5, 6-4
2. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Anna Sidorenko (UST) 6-3, 7-5
3. Lily Olson (UST) def. Emilia Durska (MKE) 6-3, 6-1
4. Alize Yarwood (UST) def. Sara Simonova (MKE) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
5. Else Vander Stichele (UST) def. Honoka Yamashita (MKE) 3-6, 7-5, 7-5
6. Laure Razet (MKE) def. Ingrid Forsberg (UST) 6-4, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Emilia Durska/Nel Van Hout (MKE) def. Emilia Korseth/Caroline Lindahl (UST) 6-2
2. Nadiia Konieva/Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Anna Sidorenko/Alize Yarwood (UST) 6-3
3. Svava Schroeder/Laure Razet (MKE) vs. Lily Olson/Else Vander Stichele (UST) 3-5, unfinished