Box Score BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – The Milwaukee women's tennis team took Oakland to the limit Saturday afternoon, but came up just short in a tough 4-3 loss from Bloomfield Tennis & Fitness.
 
Nadiia Konieva claimed victories in both singles and doubles and Nel Van Hout topped the reigning Horizon League Fall Singles Champion to lead the way for the Panthers (5-8, 0-1 Horizon League). But the Golden Grizzlies – who were selected for the top spot in the conference preseason poll this year – were able to overcome MKE's win of the doubles point with strong play the rest of the match.
 
"The team left it all on the court today," head coach Mark Goldin said. "We are still missing some players and have a few players playing with injuries, so that part has been a real challenge. We focused on what we could control – attitude and effort – and we gave them a very tough battle."
 
Milwaukee won at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to start the day with the point. Konieva and Sara Simonova claimed a 6-3 decision, while Honoka Yamashita and Elisa Rubio (MKE) closed it out with a 6-4 final scoreline. OU responded with decisions on four of six singles matches to escape with the win.
 
"In the end, we didn't get the win, but I thought the girls were very tough mentally, and competed hard," Goldin said. "Now it is time to get back to training, get healthy, and get ready for the next one."
 
Konieva stepped up in the third set after Nisa Balut drew even at No. 2 singles, earning the 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory.
 
Van Hout was impressive in her match, taking down Martyna Piechowicz in straight sets 6-4, 6-3. Piechowicz claimed the Horizon League Singles Championship Title back in September.
 
The Panthers head off to Florida for their spring trip next, scheduled to take on North Alabama (March 25) and Stetson (March 26) on their time away (scheduled March 23-29).
 
Oakland 4, Milwaukee 3
Singles competition
1. Nel Van Hout (MKE) def. Martyna Piechowicz (OU) 6-4, 6-3
2. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Nisa Balut (OU) 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
3. Oliwia Klimas (OU) def. Sara Simonova (MKE) 6-3, 6-4
4. Edie Hammond (OU) def. Laure Razet (MKE) 6-0, 6-0
5. Emeilia Jarvinen (OU) def. Honoka Yamashita (MKE) 7-6 (7-3), 6-3
6. Tara Montreuil (OU) def. Elisa Rubio (MKE) 6-1, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. Edie Hammond/Emeilia Jarvinen (OU) def. Nel Van Hout/Laure Razet (MKE) 6-2
2. Nadiia Konieva/Sara Simonova (MKE) def. Nisa Balut/Oliwia Klimas (OU) 6-3
3. Honoka Yamashita/Elisa Rubio (MKE) def. Martyna Piechowicz/Tara Montreuil (OU) 6-4
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (4,2,6,1,3,5)