MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin women's tennis team got back to their winning ways on Sunday morning. After dropping four straight, all to top 30 programs, the Badgers bounced back and knocked off Tulane by a score of 5-2 at Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
 
"Obviously we're happy to get the win," said head coach Tina Samara after the match. "I think we looked a little tired and I think it was more mentally and that's probably from the four top programs that we played before this. But in the end, we got the win and we got revenge on the team that we lost to last year, which is certainly one of our goals and we're 2-0 so far with that this year."
 
UW avenged last year's 5-2 loss at Tulane by getting off to a hot start in doubles play. Lauren Chypyha and Kendall Kirsch teamed up to take down Ipek Birol and Sade Atkinson, 6-2. Meanwhile, the duo of Kelsey Grambeau and Lauren Burich knocked off Jacqui Katz and Meredith Maltby, 6-3, to secure the doubles point.
 
The Badgers carried over their success to the singles courts. Grambeau got it started for UW as she made quick work of Katz, 6-2, 6-1. Kirsch got back on track with a quick victory as well as she took down Sade Atkinson, 6-1, 6-4. No. 32 Lauren Chypyha clinched the match for the Badgers with a 6-4, 6-2, victory over Naz Karagoz.
 
In addition, Ekaterina Stepanova backed up her impressive win on Friday with a third-set victory over Ipek Birol, 6-3, 4-6, 10-6.
 
"In the end, the way we've been trying to approach every day is to walk away better than we were before," added Samara. "And although we still have a lot more work to do in terms of growth, I still felt like we did that today."  
 
The Badgers will have some time off until taking the court on Friday, Feb. 26, as Minnesota makes a trip to Nielsen Tennis Stadium. The Big Ten opener is set to begin at 4 p.m.  
 
Results
Sunday, Feb. 14
Wisconsin 5 – Tulane 2

Doubles
1. Lauren Chypyha / Kendall Kirsch (UW) def. Birol / Atkinson (Tulane), 6-2
2. Muller / Karagoz (Tulane) def. Ekaterina Stepanova / Sydney Rider (UW), 6-3
3. Lauren Burich / Kelsey Grambeau (UW) def. Katz / Maltby (Tulane), 6-3
 
Singles
1. Lauren Chypyha (UW) def. Naz Karagoz (Tulane), 6-4, 6-2
2. Ekaterina Stepanova (UW) def. Ipek Birol (Tulane), 6-3, 4-6, 10-6
3. Kendall Kirsch (UW) def. Sade Atkinson (Tulane), 6-1, 6-4
4. Elena Muller (Tulane) def. Maria Avgerinos (UW), 6-4, 6-3
5. Kelsey Grambeau (UW) def. Jacqui Katz (Tulane), 6-2, 6-1
6. Meredith Maltby (Tulane) def. Caroline Hall (UW), 6-1, 6-2