HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – As the Badgers begin their spring team season, they suffered an early setback against the Thundering Herd at Marshall University Saturday afternoon.

Playing at the No. 2 doubles slot, freshman Christina Zordani and junior Kelsey Grambeau took an early lead against Marshall opponents Maddie Silver and Rachael Morales, 4-2. However, their match went unfinished as Marshall swept the other two doubles courts, claiming a 1-0 lead.

Following the doubles matches, the Badgers turned to the singles courts to try to gain some momentum, but the Thundering Herd proved to be tough competition.

Both senior Sydney Rider and freshman Melissa Pick battled on the court for the Badgers, but ultimately came up short. After falling in the first set, 2-6, Rider overcame Marshall opponent Daniela Dankanych to win the second set, 6-2. Yet, Rider fell in the third set, 11-9. Similarly, Pick lost her first set, 4-6, and came back to win the second, 6-3, against Rachael Morales. However, she also fell in the third set, 10-5.

UW will begin the home portion of their schedule next weekend, hosting Colorado State on Jan. 29 at 12 p.m. (CT). All home matches will take place at Nielsen Tennis Stadium.

Results

Marshall 7 – Wisconsin 0

Doubles

1. Turhan/Pomyatinskaya (MAR) def. Rider/Pick (WIS), 6-1
2. Zordani/Grambeau (WIS) vs. Silver/Morales (MAR), 4-2 (unfinished)
3. Smith/Dankanych (MAR) def. Avgerinos/Linden (WIS), 6-1

Singles

1. No. 90 Derya Turhan (MAR) def. Maria Avgerinos (WIS), 6-3, 6-2
2. Stephanie Smith (MAR) def. Kelsey Grambeau (WIS), 6-2, 6-3
3. No. 94 Maddie Silver (MAR) def. Christina Zordani (WIS), 6-0, 6-2
4. Anna Pomyatinskaya (MAR) def. Michelle Linden (WIS), 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-3)
5. Rachael Morales (MAR) def. Melissa Pick (WIS), 4-6, 6-3, 10-5
6. Daniela Dankanych (MAR) def. Sydney Rider (WIS), 2-6, 6-2, 11-9