MADISON, Wis. -- In each of head coach Tina Samara's first two seasons at Wisconsin, the Badgers picked up just one victory over a ranked opponent. This year, they managed to post a signature win in the season opener, knocking off No. 44 Houston, 6-1. The victory serves as the Badgers highest ranked win since taking down No. 37 NC State in 2012.
 
"I'm happy for the team, but I honestly went into this match expecting to win," Samara explained. "We've put in the work and I thought we matched up well walking into this match. This was an important win for the team because winning 6-1 against the No. 44 team gives us the perspective that we belong in that conversation."
 
The Badgers got off to a strong start on the doubles courts by winning all three matches. On court one, the duo of Lauren Chypyha and Kendall Kirsch teamed up to take down Tina Rupert and Despoina Vogasari by a score of 6-1. On court two, Sydney Rider and Ekaterina Stepanova outlasted Rocio Martin and Angela Lorenzo in a tie-breaker, 6-5 (7-4). Finally, on court three, Lauren Burich and Kelsey Grambeau teamed up to knock off Maria Cardenas and Mina Markovic, 6-2.
 
On the singles courts, Chypyha, who entered the match ranked No. 66 in the ITA rankings, made a strong opening statement, dispatching No. 34 Vogasari, 7-5, 6-3, to claim the match for the Badgers.
 
For Chypyha, Friday's opening win validated her lofty preseason ranking.
 
"I thought about that a little bit going into the match, but then again my theme for the season is 'no regrets,'" Chypyha admitted. "So every match I play I'm just going to lay it all out there. But it's nice to start out the season like this."
 
"This was a good win for Chyps, but again, I wasn't surprised," head coach Tina Samara added. "I've said all along that she deserves to be in the rankings and with having such a big fall, she now goes onto the court not thinking anyone is unbeatable. That girl was good, but all of her opponents this year will be good. This was a strong start though."
 
Stepanova got the ball rolling in singles action for UW by making quick work of Rupert by taking her down, 6-3, 6-2. Maria Avgerinos wasn't far behind, beating Martin, 6-4, 6-0.
 
Also picking up victories for the Badgers were Burich and Rider who took down Cardenas and Lorenzo by the scores of 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) and 6-0, 3-6, 6-4, respectively. Even UW's loss came down to the wire as Kirsch took Markovic to a third set before falling, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.
 
"This was big for us because over the last two years we've had so many close, 4-3 matches we've lost that if we could take this one early in the season it would set us up well moving forward," Samara said. "We've got a tough schedule this year and now I feel like we're going to matches with a better frame of mind."
 
Next up for the Badgers is in-state rival Marquette on Sunday, Jan. 31. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m. at Helfaer Tennis Stadium. Admissions is free.
 
"Now we need to repeat this effort against Marquette on Sunday," Samara added. "They're always a tough team and we told the team to look at it as if they were playing for a state championship. I think we'll be ready."
 
Results
Wisconsin 6, #44 Houston 1

Singles
1. #66 Lauren Chypyha (UW) def. #34 Despoina Vogasari (HOU), 7-5, 6-3
2. Ekaterina Stepanova (UW) def. Tina Rupert (HOU), 6-3, 6-2
3. Mina Markovic (HOU) def. Kendall Kirsch (UW), 6-3, 2-6, 6-1
4. Maria Avgerinos (UW) def. Rocio Martin (HOU), 6-4, 6-0
5. Sydney Rider (UW) def. Angela Lorenzo (HOU), 6-0, 3-6, 6-4
6. Lauren Burich (UW) def. Maria Cardenas (HOU), 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
 
Doubles
1. Lauren Chypyha / Kendall Kirsch (UW) def. Tina Rupert / Despoina Vogasari (HOU), 6-1
2. Sydney Rider / Ekaterina Stepanova (UW) def. Rocio Martin / Angela Lorenzo (HOU), 6-5 (7-4)
3. Lauren Burich / Kelsey Grambeau (UW) def. Maria Cardenas / Mina Markovic (HOU), 6-2