PISCATAWAY, N.J. – In an effort to turn their luck around in the final weekend of regular season play, the Badgers were determined to overcome the Scarlet Knights. However, Rutgers put up a fight and Wisconsin fell just shy, losing by a narrow 4-3 margin.

UW has not been able to earn the doubles point since starting Big Ten play. However, against the Scarlet Knights, the Badgers started the match on the right note, claiming the doubles point and putting Wisconsin on the board first. Junior Kelsey Grambeau and freshman Christina Zordani teamed up to take down RU's Mingxiu Du and Ksenija Tihomirova, 6-4, while the freshman duo Melissa Pick and Michelle Linden worked together to knock off Katherine Muzik and Chloe Lee, 6-3.

Despite Wisconsin's victory on the doubles court, it was unable to transfer its momentum into singles action. Only two freshmen Badgers were able to clinch their singles matches.

Playing at the No. 6 position, Zordani snapped her drought and notched the first singles point for the Badgers with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over RU's Farris Cunningham. This marks Zordani's first Big Ten win of her collegiate career.

Linden scored the second singles point for the Badgers competing at the No. 3 slot. She also clinched her first Big Ten victory of the season in quick fashion, defeating Chloe Lee, 6-2, 6-4.

Despite her shortcomings, Pick continued to show growth in her first collegiate season. At the No. 4 spot, she took her opponent to tiebreakers in both sets. She ultimately fell, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3).

The Badgers round out their 2017 regular season Sunday morning as they go head-to-head against Maryland. First serve against the Terrapins is set for 11 a.m. (CT).

Results 

Rutgers 4 – Wisconsin 3

Singles:

1. Mingxiu Du (RU) def. Maria Avgerinos (WIS), 6-3, 7-5
2. Ksenija Tihomirova (RU) def. Kelsey Grambeau (WIS), 6-3, 6-3
3. Michelle Linden (WIS) def. Chloe Lee (RU), 6-2, 6-4
4. Katherine Muzik (RU) def. Melissa Pick (WIS), 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3)
5. Jacqueline Cochrane (RU) def. Sydney Rider (WIS), 6-2, 6-0
6. Christina Zordani (WIS) def. Farris Cunningham (RU), 6-4, 6-1

Doubles:

1. Kelsey Grambeau/Christina Zordani (WIS) def. Mingxiu Du/Ksenija Tihomirova (RU), 6-4
2. Melissa Pick/Michelle Linden (WIS) def. Katherine Muzik/Chloe Lee (RU), 6-3
3. Farris Cunningham/Jacqueline Cochrane (RU) def. Sydney Rider/Maria Avgerinos (WIS), 6-3