MADISON, Wis. – The first home match of the 2017 spring season proved to be just what the doctor ordered for the Wisconsin women's tennis. The Badgers (1-1) notched their first win under head coach Kelcy McKenna with a resounding 7-0 sweep of Colorado State (1-2) on Sunday.

The Badgers pulled out the doubles point by taking two of three matches and never took their foot off the pedal, sweeping all six singles matches.

"I'm happy for the girls to get their first win at home," McKenna said. "Overall, the team did a much better job emphasizing things within our control. We competed well in singles, but definitely need to continue working on our willingness to be uncomfortable during big moments."

Senior Maria Avgerinos and freshman partner, Melissa Pick, found a successful rhythm competing at the No. 1 doubles slot, defeating Colorado State's Emily Kolbow and Alyssa Grijalva, 6-3. Junior Kelsey Grambeau and freshman Christina Zordani found similar success at the No. 2 doubles position, finishing off their Colorado State's opponents, 6-1.
 
Senior Sydney Rider set the singles pace early from court 6. Rider posted her first win of the dual season by cruising past Solene Crowley, 6-1, 6-1. Grambeau followed suit quickly after with 6-4, 6-3 result.
 
Maria Avgerinos and Melissa Pick both battled extremely hard for their first set wins and then finished strong in their second sets. Avgerinos posted a mark of 7-6 (7-3), 6-0. Pick went 7-6 (7-2) in the first set and 6-1 in the second.

"I think just looking around and seeing my teammates fight for their matches and every single point, that really pushed me to keep on fighting and never give up," Pick said. "I think just playing for my teammates and not just myself really pulled me out of my rut." 
 
After losing her first set, 4-6, to CSU's Riley Reeves, freshman Michelle Linden proved to be a hard-hitting competitor. She won her second set, 6-3, and fought until the very end, posting a 10-8 win in the third set.
 
Christina Zordani capped off the afternoon with a thrilling match. She lost her first set in a tie-breaker, 6-7 (7-1), but came back to win her second set, 7-6 (8-6). She kept fans on their toes in the tie-breaker third set, and finished strong with a 10-5 victory.
 
UW will continue the home portion of its schedule next weekend with a pair of matches. The Badgers will host in-state rival, Marquette on Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. (CT), followed by Xavier on Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. (CT). All home matches will take place at Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
 
Results
 
Wisconsin 7 – Colorado State 0
 
Singles
 
1. Maria Avgerinos (WIS) def. Emily Kolbow (CSU), 7-6 (7-3), 6-0
2. Kelsey Grambeau (WIS) def. Alyssa Grijalva (CSU), 6-4, 6-3
3. Michelle Linden (WIS) def. Riley Reeves (CSU), 4-6, 6-3, 10-8
4. Christina Zordani (WIS) def. Celine Voss (CSU), 6-7 (7-1), 7-6 (8-6), 10-5
5. Melissa Pick (WIS) def. Sandra Keta (CSU), 7-6 (7-2), 6-1
6. Sydney Rider (WIS) def. Solene Crawley (CSU), 6-1, 6-1
 
Doubles

1. Avgerinos/Pick (WIS) def. Kolbow/Grijalva (CSU), 6-3
2. Grambeau/Zordani (WIS) def. Porter/Voss (CSU), 6-1
3. Reeves/Keta (CSU) def. Rider/Linden (WIS), 6-1