UWM Seeks Second Win Against Wright StateApril 6, 2004 MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's tennis team is coming a off close, hard fought battle against Horizon League rival Detroit. The Panthers look to collect their second win of the season as they play host to the Wright State Raiders on Saturday at 12 p.m. The week Ahead The Panthers continue their three-match home stand this weekend as Wright State comes to town. The Raiders bring a 2-19 overall record (0-2 in conference) to Milwaukee as the two teams battle for seventh place in the Horizon League. Scouting the Opponent The Wright State Raiders are currently tied with the Panthers in Horizon League play with a 0-2 conference record. Leading the way for the Raiders is freshman Audra Backett, who owns a 6-24 record. Backett was named one of the Horizon League's "Top Performers" for the week of April 1, 2004. Also aiding the Raiders is sophomore Laura Culbertson, who has a team best eight wins on the season. Wright State's two victories have come over Chicago State and IPFW. The Week in Review The Panthers played Detroit Saturday in a match that was close thoughout. The Titans defeated the Panthers (4-3). Despite the loss UWM gained confidence as it saw better individual results than in previous weeks. Leading the way for Panthers was its #1 singles player, Margie Van Lieshout who downed Bianca Savarino, 6-4, 6-4. "Margie played really smart tennis today," head coach Erika Wentz said. "She played really well considering the adverse conditions she faced." Tammie Spiel gave UWM a team point thanks in part to her 7-5, 6-3 win over Kaitilin McVehil. Perhaps the best effort of the day went to Erin Felber who won in both her singles and doubles matches. Felber began the day with teammate Kristen Bauknecht as the two beat Detroit's tandem of Savarino/Merritt, 8-6. In singles play, Felber downed Claire Chang 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-2, marking the first win of the season for her. 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 six victories. Finding Success in Doubles The Panthers continue to perform well in doubles action. The tandem of Tammie Spiel and Megan Brown have won four of their last seven matches, including an 8-4 win over the duo of Wood/Cain from Bradley. With the victory, Spiel and Brown have a team best 5-8 record this spring. In a change of pace, Erin Felber joined teammate Kristen Bauknecht on Saturday to collect the lone doubles win of the afternoon. The two battled Detroit's duo of Savarino/Merritt, coming out victorious, 8-6. Felber Finds Stroke UWM junior Erin Felber collected wins in both singles and doubles play Saturday against Detroit. The Nicolet graduate became the first Panther to accomplish that feat since teammate Kristen Bauknecht did it on March 6th against Bradley. Adding To The Schedule
UWM was able to add a third match to its trip this week - the March 20 contest with Southern Utah. Early on, UWM had scheduled UC-Riverside and Cal-State Fullerton for the 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.
|
