INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – For the first time in two seasons, the Milwaukee tennis team played a dual match outdoors, but the weather didn't deter the Panthers as the team defeated IUPUI 5-2 from the West Indy Racquet Club Saturday afternoon.
 
The Panthers (12-8, 5-2) dropped the doubles point for the first time in four matches, but came back strong in singles play to win the match 5-2 over IUPUI (5-14, 1-5).
 
"It was our first outdoor dual match in two years, and that showed a bit during doubles," said Jason Potthoff. "We didn't serve well and didn't play our normal aggressive style and paid for it by starting down 0-1, but every girl fought incredibly hard in singles and we were fortunate to get out of there with a 5-2 win."
 
In singles play, Mayya Perova evened the match up winning in straight sets defeating Gabrielle Ochalik 6-4, 6-4.
 
Junior Nicole Clarke also won in straight sets, but battled in the last set wining the tie breaker for a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) victory.
 
With the match tied at two points each, Milwaukee took control and won the next three matches to clinch the match. Alexandra Belle, Nikki Milner and Anna Daniel Fuentes won the final three matches to improve the teams record to 12-8 overall and 5-2 in league play.
 
Next up, Milwaukee will take on first place UIC Sunday morning at 10 a.m. from Match Point Tennis & Fitness Club in Griffith, Ind.