MADISON, Wis. – Playing at the brand new outdoor facility for the first time this season, the No. 42 Wisconsin women's tennis team made sure to put on a show for the fans. UW did just that, coming from behind and defeating Iowa, 4-2.
Wisconsin (16-4 overall, 8-2 Big Ten) got down early, losing the doubles point to Iowa (12-10, 4-6) but did not let that affect the singles play. An exciting three-set match from sophomore
Lexi Keberle, ranked No. 123 in the country, was what eventually locked up the victory, giving Wisconsin its fourth point and allowing a court storm from the team.
The Badgers evened the score, 1-1, after
MaryAnn Rompf breezed by her opponent, 6-2, 6-1. Iowa then jumped to a 2-1 lead after
Christina Zordani fell, 6-3, 6-2.
Once the score hit 2-1, the fans knew it would be a dogfight.
Senior
Sara Castellano, ranked No. 74 in singles, gave UW its second point with a 7-5, 7-5 victory. Not long after UW went up 3-2 behind
Ava Markham's victory.
Teammates were then sandwiched between two courts watching
Anna Makarova and Keberle, waiting to see who would finish first. After Keberle won, giving Wisconsin the victory, Makarova's match was called and went unfinished.
This is the first season since 2002 Wisconsin has won at least eight conference matches.
Up next: Wisconsin is back at Nielsen Tennis Stadium on Sunday, April 21 at 10 a.m. as it hosts Nebraska. Sunday is the final home match of the season and will also be senior day to recognize senior
Sara Castellano.
April 20, 2019
Nielsen Tennis Stadium
Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin 4, Iowa 2
Singles results
[74]
Sara Castellano (WIS) def. Elise Van Heuvelen Treadwell (IOWA) 7-5, 7-5
[123]
Lexi Keberle (WIS) def. Ashleigh Jacobs (IOWA) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
Anna Makarova (WIS) vs. Samantha Mannix (IOWA) unfinished
Ava Markham (WIS) def. Michella Bacalla (IOWA) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
MaryAnn Rompf (WIS) def. Sophie Clark (IOWA) 6-2, 6-1
Danielle Burich (IOWA) def.
Christina Zordani (WIS) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles results
Ruette and Mannix (IOWA) def. Keberle and Makarova (WIS) 6-1
Castellano and Zordani (WIS) vs. Bauers and Jacobs (IOWA) unfinished
Treadwell and Clark (IOWA) def. Markham and Rompf (WIS) 6-2
