Panthers Look For First League WinFeb. 24, 2004 MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's tennis team recently collected their first victory of the season. The team looks to continue with their new found success as they hit the road this weekend. The Week Ahead UWM will travel to Ohio this weekend to square off with two Horizon League opponents. On Saturday, the Panthers will play at Youngstown State, before heading to Cleveland on Sunday to face the Vikings of Cleveland State. Scouting the Opponents Youngstown State is currently 4-4 behind the consistent play of two freshman, Gina Perettie and Nicole Muzechuk. The Penguins lineup also features sophomore Whitney Thomas, a 2002-2003 Second Team All-League Performer. Cleveland State enters the week with a 3-6 overall record. The Vikings have found a solid performer in freshman, Sarah Galon. Galon has recorded a respectful 6-5 record playing in the #1 singles position. Galon has also found success playing along side Morgan Ungerott in doubles play. The tandem has paced the Vikings with a solid 6-4 record. The Week in Review Coming off a slow 0-4 start to the season, UWM won its first match of the season on Sunday with a decisive 5-2 victory over IPFW. The Panthers recieved wins from their top three singles players, Margie Van Lieshout, Tammie Spiel and Megan Brown. Senior Cassie Kuranz also collected a win playing in the #5 singles spot. In doubles action, the Panthers duo of Tammie Spiel and Megan Brown continue to perform well. The two won their third match of the season with an impressive 8-0 victory over the team of Miller/Vervynckt of IPFW. UWM also had a nice contribution from the tandem of Melissa Hackett and Kristen Bauknecht who won a close 8-5 match playing the #3 doubles slot. A Place to Call Home The spring schedule marks a welcomed change for UWM tennis, as the team will host a school-record seven home matches at the Highlander Elite Fitness and Racquet Club in Brookfield. Head coach Erika Wentz calls the Highlander one of the premier racquet clubs in the Milwaukee area. The team will continue to practice at the North Shore Elite club in Glendale. That Senior Spark As UWM's lone senior, Cassie Kuranz is looking to continue her success in her final campaign. Kuranz currently has a team best 4-1 record playing the #6 singles. Finding Success in Doubles The Panthers continue to perform well in doubles action. The tandem of Tammie Spiel and Megan Brown have won two of their last three matches, including a decisive 8-0 win over the duo of Miller/Vervynckt of IPFW. Melissa Hackett and Kristen Bauknecht also collected a win against IPFW. Playing the #3 doubles Hackett and Bauknecht won a close 8-5 match over IPFW's Humphrey/Bartelheim. "#2 and #3 doubles are continuing to do very well," UWM head coach Erika Wentz said. Adding To The Schedule
UWM has added another match to its spring trip to California. The trip will now start with a March 20 match with Southern Utah. UWM also plays UC-Riverside and Cal-State Fullerton on its trip. Head coach Erika Wentz has been aggressive in adding matches for the Panthers, who will play 15 matches this spring, including seven home matches.
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