Feb. 20, 2010
MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin was able to snap a six-match losing streak Saturday afternoon playing host to Western Michigan. The Badgers got back on track by winning 6-1 over the Broncos.
“Western Michigan was a very scrappy team today,” said head coach Brian Fleishman. “I think those five ACC teams prepared us for today and made us a little more prepared than they were. But that doesn’t mean we can ease up and think we’ve got things in the bag.”
Pair switching in doubles play worked well for the Badgers as they grabbed all three wins. Jessica Seyferth and Kathleen Saltarelli and Katya Mirnova and Angela Chupa were able to pick up the doubles point quickly with 8-2 and 8-4 wins, respectively, in the Nos. 2 and 3 slots to put the Badgers up 1-0. In the No. 1 spot Alaina Trgovich and Hannah Berner battled it out against Western Michigan’s Emily Dudzik and Jill Pastunink. After a back and forth struggle between the two pairs, the Badger duo was able to come out on top 8-7 (4).
Freshman Hannah Berner took the momentum from her doubles win into singles play where she took down Pastunink once again 6-0, 6-1, in the No. 5 spot. Berner finished first to set the pace for the rest of the Badgers single play.
Mirnova and Trgovich were the next Badgers to obtain victories to secure the Wisconsin win, 4-0. Seyferth finished close behind after taking her match with the Bronco’s Maggie Remynse to a third set in dramatic fashion. The junior was able to come back from a 6-0 first set loss with 6-3, 6-2 wins.
Aleksandra Markovic came back from early deficits in both of her sets but came up short falling 7-5, 6-4 to Maria Nivia, with the Badger win already decided.
Sophomore Angela Chupa finished off the day for UW with an exciting match in the No. 1 spot against Western Michigan’s Emily Dudzik. After taking the first set 6-2, Chupa fell 4-6 in the second to force a third set. The score stayed close throughout the final set going to a tiebreak for the decision. Chupa came out on top winning 7-6 (3) in Wisconsin’s 6-1 victory.
“Next up is a big test with in-state rival Marquette,” Fleishman said. “They’re a very tough team, but I think the ITA Indoors, hosting that and being able to play three quality matches, prepares us for the rest of the season. I don’t think we’ll see as tough as competition as that but they’re going to be very scrappy and we always have a target on our head.”
The Badgers will travel to Milwaukee next Saturday, Feb. 27, to face in-state rival Marquette and then return home on Sunday to face William and Mary. Game times are set for 12 p.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.
Julie McKay, UW Athletic Communications
Western Michigan vs Wisconsin
Feb 20, 2010 at MADISON, Wis.
(Nielsen Tennis Stadium)
Wisconsin 6, Western Michigan 1
Singles competition
1. Angela Chupa (WIS) def. Emily Dudzik (WM) 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3)
2. Katya Mirnova (WIS) def. Amanda Moccia (WM) 6-2, 6-0
3. Jessica Seyferth (WIS) def. Maggie Remynse (WM) 0-6, 6-3, 6-2
4. Maria Nivia (WM) def. Aleksandra Markovic (WIS) 7-5, 6-4
5. Hannah Berner (WIS) def. Jill Pastunink (WM) 6-0, 6-1
6. Alaina Trgovich (WIS) def. Yumi Matsuto (WM) 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)
Doubles competition
1. Alaina Trgovich/Hannah Berner (WIS) def. Emily Dudzik/Jill Pastunink (WM) 8-7 (7-4)
2. Jessica Seyferth/Kathleen Saltarelli (WIS) def. Amanda Moccia/April Kerr (WM) 8-2
3. Katya Mirnova/Angela Chupa (WIS) def. Yumi Matsuto/Maggie Remynse (WM) 8-4
Western Michigan 6-4
Wisconsin 2-7
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (5,2,6,3,4,1)
