March 18, 2010

MILWAUKEE - After a difficult non-league slate and a two-week break, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's tennis team opens Horizon League play with a pair of home matches this weekend at the Paley Tennis Center.

The Panthers (3-8) will square off with perennial league power UIC Saturday night before facing Valparaiso Sunday morning.

UWM did not play last weekend after a dropping a 5-2 decision to Northern Iowa March 5. That wrapped up a non-league schedule that saw the Panthers face stiff competition, including matches with Minnesota, Missouri and Marquette.

Now, Milwaukee embarks on a busy four-week span in which it will play all eight of its league contests.

"The non-conference schedule was very important for our development as a lineup since we had a slow start in the fall," UWM head coach Sean McInerney said. "I am very happy with our development and feel we are hitting our peak entering league play."

The Panthers' first test of the weekend will be a stiff one, as UIC has won the last 10 Horizon League titles and has rarely even seen its perch atop the league threatened. This season, the Flames are 10-3 overall and have won six of their last seven matches. UIC has an experienced squad, with four seniors on the roster.

Valparaiso then visits Sunday. The Crusaders are 0-3 this spring and also dropped three dual matches in the fall. Weather problems have also postponed a pair of matches for VU, which does not have a senior on its roster.

UWM, meanwhile, has been mixing young and old this spring. Freshman Brittany Skemp leads the way with five singles wins while junior Sammi Schoen (four wins) and senior Kari Kastenholz (three wins) have also been among the team leaders. In doubles play, Ashley Schoneman and Megan Gow have posted a team-best 3-2 mark.

"We have had two weeks of practice to finish preparations for league play," McInerney said. "I am excited to get back on the court this weekend and continue to get better."