April 27, 2012

Results

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee saw its season come to a close with a 4-3 loss to Detroit Friday afternoon at the Horizon League Women's Tennis Championships.

The sixth-seeded Titans fought back from a 3-0 deficit to claim the victory and advance to the semifinals in a contest that lasted nearly four hours.

Third-seeded UWM (13-9) had staked itself to the early advantage by dominating in doubles play before Maddy Soule and Brittany Skemp each captured straight-set wins to open the singles portion of the match.

But, the outcome swung thanks to a string of three-set matches, with Detroit claiming each of them to pull out the come-from-behind victory.

"I'm not at all disappointed in our effort because we played hard like we have all season," UWM head coach Sean McInerney said. "We struggled at times closing points out and we put ourselves in difficult situations. Detroit has a tradition of being good come tournament-time and they found a way to win."

After the 3-0 lead by Milwaukee, Detroit struck back with a straight-sets win at the third singles spot while the matches at #2, #4 and #5 moved into third sets. The Titans won first in the fifth spot, then tied the match with a win in the second spot. The match in the fourth spot was the decider, with Kelly Fritz battling throughout the match before falling to Amanda Cornwell, 7-5, in the third frame.

"Our inexperience probably showed through at some times but, as I told the team after the match, one day doesn't define your season," McInerney said. "I am proud of everything we accomplished this year and we have a lot we can build on for the future."

Normally, the losers of Friday's matches would play a consolation match Saturday. But, due to impending bad weather in Indianapolis, that match was cancelled. Detroit does advance to a semifinal contest Saturday against Cleveland State.