MADISON, Wis. – The Badgers have secured bragging rights for another year. The Wisconsin women's tennis team pulled out a thrilling 4-3 win over in-state rival Marquette on Saturday afternoon at Nielsen Tennis Stadium.

Clinging to a 3-2 lead, junior Kelsey Grambeau clinched the match for the Badgers at the No. 2 singles position. After falling in a first-set tiebreaker, she came back to even the match with a 6-2 win in the second set. The pivotal third set was a battle of stamina, with Grambeau out-lasting MU's Diana Tokar and pulling out the 7-5 win.    

"I really wanted to win it for my teammates," Grambeau said. "They are such a supportive group of girls and were by my side the whole time and really got me through the match. I just told myself to take it one point at a time, and focus shot by shot and eventually it will come."  

Following the 1-0 lead after clinching the doubles point, seniors Maria Avgerinos and Sydney Rider added the first two singles points to the board for the Badgers. Both UW players quickly beat their opponents in two sets. Avgerinos knocked down Marquette's Silvia Ambrosio at the No. 1 singles position, 6-2, 7-5. Rider soon followed with a 6-1, 7-6 win over Marquette's Isabella Franks. 

Freshman Melissa Pick is no stranger to keeping fans watching on the edge of their seats, and Saturday, she did just that. Pick came out strong winning her first set in a tiebreaker, 7-6, but fell in the second set, 6-4. Although she battled in the third set, she ultimately lost to Courtney Hebard, 6-4.

Sophomore Kendall Kirsch made her spring season debut at the No. 3 singles position. Although Kirsch lost to Marquette's Paula Tormos, 6-4, 6-0, it was a valiant effort from the Badger who hasn't seen court time since this fall due to an injury.

In doubles, Kirsch and Rider helped Wisconsin jump out to an early lead with a 6-2 win over Marquette's Hebard and Franks at No. 3 doubles. Freshman Christina Zordani and Grambeau soon followed, beating Marquette's Tormos and Tokar, 6-2.

The Badgers wrap up their three-match homestand at Nielsen Tennis Stadium Sunday afternoon as they take on the Xavier Musketeers. First serve is set for 1 p.m. (CT).   

Results

Wisconsin 4 – Marquette 3

Singles

1. Maria Avgerinos (WIS) def. Silvia Ambrosio (MU), 6-2, 7-5
2. Kelsey Grambeau (WIS) def. Diana Tokar (MU), 6-7 (7-5), 6-2, 7-5
3. Paula Tormos (MU) def. Kendall Kirsch (WIS), 6-4, 6-0
4. Fluer Eggink (MU) def. Christina Zordani (WIS), 6-3, 6-1
5. Courtney Hebard (MU) def. Melissa Pick (WIS), 6-7, 6-4, 6-4
6. Sydney Rider (WIS) def. Isabella Franks (MU), 6-1, 7-6 (7-1)

Doubles

1. Pick/Avgerinos (WIS) vs. Ambrosio/Eggink (MU), unfinished
2. Zordani/Grambeau (WIS) def. Tormos/Tokar (MU), 6-2
3. Kirsch/Rider (WIS) def. Hebard/Franks (MU), 6-2