April 21, 2012

Results

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's tennis team put the final touches on a stellar regular season with a 7-0 win over Detroit Saturday at LeClub.

The Panthers (13-8, 6-2 Horizon) won the doubles point and then won all six singles matches in straight sets.

UWM secured the third seed - its best-ever regular season finish - for next weekend's league tournament, while its 6-2 league mark is a school record.

"This was a big win and we played very well," UWM head coach Sean McInerney said. "Over our last three wins against Wright State, Butler and now Detroit, we have won 18-straight singles matches. That is beyond amazing and shows how far we have come with our individual competitiveness. Even when we have the match in hand, we're closing out the key points and closing out each match. The biggest change in our program is that our individual competitiveness is now as good as anyone in the league."

Milwaukee set the tone in the contest by winning two of the three doubles matches to claim the opening point. Maddy Soule and Christina Colarossi won for a school-record 23rd time in the top spot while Brittany Skemp helped senior Megan Gow end her home career on a high note with an 8-2 win in the third spot.

In singles play, the Panthers took control quickly. Soule was never seriously threatened at the top of the lineup while Skemp did not lose a game in the sixth spot. Kristin Kurer also controlled her match in clinching the victory for UWM before Colarossi, Chelsea Bailey and Kelly Fritz followed up with wins.

"Our mental toughness has improved so much and that has also been important," McInerney said. "I'm very happy and now it will be interesting to see how we handle success."

The Panthers will open the league tournament with a rematch against Detroit in Indianapolis.