MADISON, Wis. – It was a warm welcome for the Wisconsin women's tennis team (1-0) as it returned to Nielsen Tennis Stadium for the start of the dual season. UW defeated Nebraska-Omaha (1-2) 7-0 in the first match of spring.
 
It was a clean sweep for Wisconsin in singles play, grabbing all six matches with only one going into three sets.
 
The Badgers got things started early in doubles play by jumping out to a 1-0 lead thanks to victories from two duos. No. 3 doubles of junior Melissa Pick and sophomore MaryAnn Rompf grabbed an early 6-0 victory shortly before senior Sara Castellano, paired up with sophomore Anna Makarova, won 6-2 in the No. 1 doubles spot.
 
No. 46 Lexi Keberle, playing in the No. 2 slot, began the sweep, defeating Janelle Wilson in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0. No. 31 Castellano, playing No. 1 singles for UW, gave the Badgers a 3-0 lead after defeating Ines Absisan, 6-2, 6-1.
 
Securing the victory for Wisconsin was Makarova, defeating Marie Kapelevich, 6-3, 6-2 and giving the Badgers a 4-0 victory.
 
Rompf finished next, breezing through Emily Behling in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. Not long after, freshman Ava Markham secured her first victory as a Badger in dual play by beating Savanna Crowell, 6-4, 6-3.
 
Pick went three sets against Natalie Lorentz ultimately taking the tiebreaker and winning, 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (6).
 
Up next: Wisconsin continues play Friday as it hosts Illinois-Chicago at 5 p.m. CT at Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
 
Jan. 25, 2019
Nielsen Tennis Stadium
Madison, Wis.
UW 7, Omaha 0
 
Singles results
[31] Sara Castellano (WIS) def. Ines Absisan (ONU) 6-2, 6-1
[46] Lexi Keberle (WIS) def. Janelle Wilson (ONU) 6-1, 6-0
Anna Makarova (WIS) def. Marie Kapelevich (ONU) 6-3, 6-2
Melissa Pick (WIS) def. Natalie Lorentz (ONU) 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (6)
Ava Markham (WIS) def. Savanna Crowell (ONU) 6-4, 6-3
MaryAnn Rompf (WIS) def. Emily Behling (ONU) 6-2, 6-2
 
Doubles results
Castellano and Makarova (WIS) def. Lorenz and Crowell (ONU) 6-2
Absisan and Wislon (ONU) vs. Keberle and Markham (WIS) 5-2, uf
Pick and Rompf (WIS) def. Behling and Tucker (ONU) 6-0