Badgers Blank Bradley and Green Bay in 7-0 Duals

For the players on the Wisconsin women's tennis team, the weekend meant a clean slate. The Badgers won both matches of a doubleheader by 7-0 scores, beating Bradley in the first session and shutting out Green Bay in the second. The victories moved the team to a 6-0 record on the season.

This 6-0 start represents the best beginning for Wisconsin since 1992. Green Bay fielded only five players in the second match, a shortage that limited their ability to compete. The Badgers controlled the doubles pairs early, setting the stage for the singles matches that followed.

Freshman MaryAnn Rompf and senior Kelsey Grambeau defeated Theresa Tebon and Tallie Piaskowski 6-1 in the opening doubles pair. Sophomore Melissa Pick and freshman Lexi Keberle then won 6-0 against Maria Neff and Samm Pedersen. The momentum carried directly into the singles competition, where Wisconsin players did not drop a single set.

Keberle, playing at first singles, beat Tebon 6-1, 6-1. She remains unbeaten in both singles and doubles, holding a combined 7-0 record for the season. Rompf defeated Piaskowski 6-3, 6-1 in the second singles slot. Michelle Linden won 6-1, 6-0 against Sterre Tijssens, while Pick shut out Neff 6-0, 6-0. Christina Zordani finished the match by beating Pedersen 6-0, 6-1, improving her season singles record to 5-0.

Head coach Kelcy McKenna attributed the performance to the team's focus on attitude, effort, and energy. She said those three elements are extremely important to the team's success. McKenna emphasized the need to concentrate on small details in practice and match simulations to prepare for the upcoming season.

Despite the perfect record, McKenna identified specific areas for improvement, particularly in doubles serves and returns. She stated that the team needs to be more aggressive and hit its spots on service plays. She also stressed the importance of carrying momentum from doubles into singles to avoid giving away free points.

The Badgers will host the National Team Indoor Championship from Feb. 9 to 12. The team will look to extend its unbeaten run during that event.