Feb. 27, 2015
Final Stats
EL PASO, Texas -- "This was not an easy day to play for either team, but we didn't complain and just did our best to find a way to win points."
Those words came from head coach Tina Samara as the Wisconsin women's tennis team pulled out a 5-2 victory over UTEP Friday afternoon, the team's third straight win.
Playing outside for the first time this season, the Badgers brought some of the cold and wind from back home down with them to El Paso, Texas, where Wisconsin out-battled the Miners to claim its first road win of the season.
"Playing under the cold and windy conditions," Samara continued, "I was very proud of the effort and fight on every court."
Wisconsin found yet another way to win the doubles point, as the No. 2 and No. 3 teams pulled out victories to give the Badgers the early lead.
Lauren Chypyha and Maria Avgerinos won their fifth-straight doubles match playing at the No. 2 flight, topping Matilda Tench and Jeannez Daniel, 8-5.
Meanwhile Ekaterina Stepanova teamed up with sophomore Sydney Rider to take down the Miners team of Daphne Visscher and Lois Wagenvoort, 8-6.
In singles play, All-Big Ten junior Lauren Chypyha faced her toughest test of the young season in Davina Meza, who pushed Chypyha to a third set tiebreaker before the Ontario native prevailed for the Badgers, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4).
Lauren Burich fought to a successful finish as well, improving to 5-1 on the spring season, playing at the No. 4 and No. 5 spots in the lineup. Burich out-battled Lois Wagenvoort, gaining steam as the match went along. After losing the first set 6-2, Burich took the second set to a tiebreak, which she narrowly won 7-6 before cruising through the third set, taking one of her own by a 6-2 score.
Freshman Kelsey Grambeau returned to her home state of Texas and improved to 3-3 on the season in singles. The Dallas native dispatched Matilda Tench, 6-2, 6-1 in the No. 5 singles flight.
St. Petersburg native Ekaterina Stepanova won her third-consecutive match and fourth of the season, knocking off Daphne Visscher in No. 6 singles.
The Badgers are back in action Saturday at 2 p.m. when they will take on their first ranked opponent this year in No. 66 Tulane.
Wisconsin 5, UTEP 2
Feb. 27, 2015
El Paso Tennis & Swim Club
Singles:
1. Lauren Chypyha (WIS) def. Davina Meza (UTEP) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4)
2. Jeannez Daniel (UTEP) def. Maria Avgerinos (WIS) 6-2, 5-7, 6-4
3. Duda Santos (UTEP) def. Sydney Rider (WIS) 6-1, 6-0
4. Lauren Burich (WIS) def. Lois Wagenvoort (UTEP) 2-6, 7-6 (7-6), 6-2
5. Kelsey Grambeau (WIS) def. Matilda Tench (UTEP) 6-2, 6-1
6. Ekaterina Stepanova (WIS) def. Daphne Visscher (UTEP) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles:
1. Davina Meza/Duda Santos (UTEP) def. Kelsey Grambeau/Lauren Burich (WIS) 8-2
2. Lauren Chypyha/Maria Avgerinos (WIS) def. Matilda Tench/Jeannez Daniel (UTEP) 8-5
3. Sydney Rider/Ekaterina Stepanova (WIS) def. Daphne Visscher/Lois Wagenvoort (UTEP) 8-6
