The UW women's tennis team (3-0 Big Ten, 7-3 overall) celebrated two Big Ten victories this weekend after hosting No. 35 Ohio State (2-1 Big Ten, 9-2 overall) Saturday and No. 65 Penn State (1-2 Big Ten, 3-4 overall) Sunday.
\I think for two days in a row we did a good job coming out,"" UW Head Coach Patti Henderson said.
Saturday, the team opened their home series by accomplishing a feat they had not done in years: defeating Ohio State, this time 5-2.
""Ohio State is a team that everyone in the conference wants to beat,"" sophomore Shana McElroy said.
""I think it's just a huge win for our program because it's been a couple of years since we beat Ohio State,"" Henderson said. ""It was probably the most focused we've come out in doubles.""
The women earned the doubles point early in the match, winning all three of their sets. The No. 1 team of juniors Linde Mues and Lara Vojnov knocked off OSU's senior Monica Rincon and sophomore Meaghan Colville, 8-2. Senior Katie Dougherty and sophomore Teresa Gonzaga also proved their worth as they upset the formerly undefeated team of sophomore Erica Fisk and junior Sadhaf Pervez, 8-6.
""It was important for our team because ... [Dougherty and Gonzaga] played up and down throughout the season. ... They stayed together well and communicated well,"" Henderson said.
While Fisk and Pervez lost their winning streak, UW freshmen Lindsay Martin and Katie McGaffigan continued their perfect streak by topping senior Michelle Matko and sophomore Lindsay Williams, 8-3.
McGaffigan partly attributes their success on the court to the close relationship she and Martin maintain.
""We're pretty good friends off the court too, so we work together well on the court.""
Henderson believes one key to their success is the chemistry they produce during the game.
""They return very well, they communicate really well, they have a good time, they're very at ease with each other on the court,"" Henderson said.
The team not only excelled in doubles but played well in singles, allowing them the victory over the Buckeyes. Senior Vanessa Rauh, Mues, McElroy and Martin all pulled off wins for UW.
Sunday, the Badgers continued their dominance on the court, earning a 6-1 win over Penn State and propelling them into their tough match at No. 18 Notre Dame Friday.
""We've done a good job of maintaining momentum going into Notre Dame so for us, we are where we'd like to be,"" Henderson said.
Once again, UW earned the doubles point, as all three pairs won their matches and the Badgers were nearly as successful in the singles points with wins from Rauh, Mues, McElroy, McGaffigan and Martin, but UW's wins came with a few struggles.
Although McElroy pulled off the upset, she faced tough matches both days.
""I was pretty tired out there today. I had a really tough match yesterday and had to hit a lot of balls and kind of had to do the same thing again today, so it took it's toll on me ... but I came through in the end,"" McElroy said.
The Wisconsin men's tennis team took a road trip this weekend to open its Big Ten season, defeating Penn State 5-2 but losing to Ohio State, 6-1.
Senior Scott Rutherford and sophomore Scott Green paired up to win their fifth set of the year, 8-4.
Seniors Danny Westerman and Justin Baker won the sole doubles point for UW Sunday, 8-5.
