BLACKSBURG, Va. – The opportunities for a victory presented themselves on Sunday for the Wisconsin women's tennis team, however the Badgers could not get over the hump, losing 4-3 to James Madison in a neutral match played at Virginia Tech.
 
Wisconsin (6-6) gave up the doubles point, starting down 1-0, after the duo of senior Sara Castellano and freshman MaryAnn Rompf was defeated, 6-4, by Liz Norman and Diane Flament. 
 
No. 3 doubles clinched the point for James Madison as Jona Roka and Dylan Owens defeated the Wisconsin sophomore duo of Christina Zordani and Michelle Linden, 6-3.
 
Freshman Lexi Keberle tied the match up, finishing first and defeating Roka, 6-2, 6-1.
 
The Badgers then jumped to a 2-1 lead following senior Kelsey Grambeau's victory in the No. 4 slot. Grambeau knocked off Emma Petersen, 7-6 (5), 6-0. 
 
Wisconsin then suffered losses in the No. 5 and 3 slots, giving James Madison a 3-2 lead.
 
Clinching the victory for James Madison was Norman, defeating Castellano, 7-6 (2), 6-4.
 
Linden grabbed Wisconsin's third point, outlasting Kimmy Herrock in three sets, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 10-8.
 
Up next: Wisconsin will return to action next weekend as it begins Big Ten play in Minneapolis, Minnesota against the Gophers. The match is set for Saturday, March 3 at 11 a.m. (CT).
 
James Madison 4, Wisconsin 3
Sunday, Feb 25, 2018
Blacksburg, Va.
 
SINGLES
Lexi Keberle (UW) def. Jona Roka (JMU), 6-2, 6-1
Liz Norman (JMU) def. Sara Castellano (UW), 7-6 (2), 6-4
Anna Makarkva (JMU) def. MaryAnn Rompf (UW), 6-4, 6-2
Kelsey Grambeau (UW) def. Emma Petersen (JMU), 7-6 (5), 6-0
Diane Flament (JMU) def. Melissa Pick (UW), 6-2, 6-0
Michelle Linden (UW), def. Kimmy Herrock (JMU) 3-6, 7-6 (5), 10-8

DOUBLES
Norman and Flament (JMU) def. Castellano and Rompf (UW), 6-4
Makarova and Petersen (JMU) vs. Grambeau and Keberle (UW), 5-5, unf.
Roka and Owens (JMU) def. Zordani and Pick (UW), 6-3