MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee women's tennis team swept the doubles point and kept the momentum going from there, claiming a 6-1 victory over Chicago State Tuesday afternoon at River Glen Elite.
 
The Panthers (1-2) closed out two of the first three singles decisions against the Cougars (0-6) and secured the victory with Nadiia Konieva's win at No. 2 singles. The team kept winning the rest of the afternoon, capped by an impressive comeback victory from Nel Van Hout at No. 1 singles to finish off the 6-1 team decision.
 
"I thought the energy that we came out with today was similar to how we ended the season last year in conference play," head coach Mark Goldin said. "We had really good energy, playing for everyone on the team and not as an individual. You could really feel the team atmosphere today. We are still missing a couple of key players from the lineup, but everyone else really stepped up and took care of business."
 
Doubles started with a bang, with Emilia Durska and Van Hout quickly claiming the win at No. 1 by a score of 6-0. Konieva and Sara Simonova were right behind, claiming a 6-1 decision to secure the overall point.
 
Svava Schroeder and Honoka Yamashita closed out the sweep at No. 3, defeating Nadjema Morille and Danina Hughes, 6-4.
 
Yamashita got things going quickly again in singles, winning her match at No. 6 by a final score of 6-1, 6-0. The teams split the next two completed matches, with the Cougars winning at No. 5 before Simonova closed out Nikita Liyanage 6-2, 6-2. Konieva then secured the clinching point with her 6-2, 6-1 victory over Camila Sanchez 6-2, 6-1.
 
"A big part of that was the fast start with the momentum and the team energy rolling through the singles play and staying consistent," Goldin added.
 
Emilia Durska won at No. 3 in straight sets 6-2, 6-4, with everyone gathering around Van Hout on court No. 1 to finish the day. Van Hout won the first set after trailing in the tiebreaker, 4-2, and then went extra effort in the second set as well. She rallied from down, 4-2, to finish off the match 7-6 (7-4), 7-5.
 
"Today was Nel's first home match as a Panther and she's really improved a lot," Goldin said. "She is playing some really good tennis right now.
 
The Panthers remain at home, welcoming Illinois State Saturday, with a start time against the Redbirds set for 12 p.m.
 
Milwaukee 6, Chicago State 1
Singles competition
1. Nel Van Hout (MKE) def. Karolina Skowronska (CHIST) 7-6 (7-4), 7-5
2. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Camila Sanchez (CHIST) 6-2, 6-1
3. Emilia Durska (MKE) def. Mackenzie King (CHIST) 6-2, 6-4
4. Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Nikita Liyanage (CHIST) 6-2, 6-2
5. Danina Hughes (CHIST) def. Svava Schroeder (MKE) 6-1, 6-3
6. Honoka Yamashita (MKE) def. Nadjema Morille (CHIST) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Emilia Durska/Nel Van Hout (MKE) def. Camila Sanchez/Karolina Skowronska (CHIST) 6-0
2. Nadiia Konieva/Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Mackenzie King/Nikita Liyanage (CHIST) 6-1
3. Svava Schroeder/Honoka Yamashita (MKE) def. Nadjema Morille/Danina Hughes (CHIST) 6-4