Five things to know: No. 42 Wisconsin closes out regular season

Saturday, April 20

Madison, WI

11 a.m.

Wisconsin Badgers

Iowa

Photo by: David Stluka

Five things to know: No. 42 Wisconsin closes out regular season

April 19, 2019 | Women's Tennis

Badgers host two home matches, Saturday and Sunday

MADISON, Wis. – Set to close out the regular season with two final home matches, the Wisconsin women's tennis team (15-4 overall, 7-2 Big Ten) will host Iowa on Saturday, April 20 at 11 a.m. CT and Nebraska on Sunday, April 21 at 10 a.m. CT.

1. BRIEF RECAP: In the team's most recent competition it split matches against then-ranked No. 34 Illinois, losing 5-2, and then-ranked No. 29 Northwestern, upsetting the Wildcats 4-3. Against Illinois it was sophomore Anna Makarova and two UW doubles pairs securing Wisconsin's two points. Against Northwestern the Badgers were able to win the doubles point and secure the next three behind Anna Makarova, Ava Markham and Maryann Rompf. It was the program's first win over Northwestern since 1998.

2. SCOUTING IOWA: Sitting at 12-9 overall, including 4-5 in conference action, the Iowa Hawkeyes are coming off of a 4-2 loss at home against Nebraska. Prior to the loss, Iowa was riding a four-match winning streak. The Hawkeyes have competed against four ranked opponents this season, suffering losses to all four. The Badgers hold a 41-10 all-time series record over the Hawkeyes, with the most recent meeting coming in 2018 when Wisconsin defeated Iowa, 4-1 on the road.

3. SCOUTING NEBRASKA: Currently 10-15 overall, including a 2-7 conference mark, the Cornhuskers are 2-1 in their last three matches, defeating Maryland and Iowa. Before the victory against Maryland, Nebraska was riding an eight-match losing streak. The most recent meeting between these program came last season when Wisconsin suffered a 4-0 loss on the road, Nebraska was ranked No. 46 at the time of the match. The all-time series record between the teams sits at 7-7.

4. GOOD TO KNOW: The Badgers are on schedule to compete outside at Nielsen Tennis Facility, on the brand new courts, for the first time in a match this season. Matches are free for the public and for fans not able to attend, there is live scoring and live updates on Twitter @badgerwtennis. After the match fans can read a recap on the Twitter page as well as Wisconsin Women's Tennis on Facebook. Sunday's match against Nebraska will also be senior day, where Wisconsin will recognize Sara Castellano prior to the start of the match.

5. WHAT'S NEXT: Looking ahead, the Big Ten tournament is set to take place in Lincoln, Nebraska over the weekend of Thursday, April 25 through Sunday, April 28. The Badgers currently sit in third place in the Big Ten behind Michigan, the conference champions, and Ohio State. Wisconsin has also set itself up for the chance at a team invitation to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005.