Wisconsin Tennis Team Extends Perfect Season to Six Wins

Wisconsin women’s tennis fans can breathe a little easier this Saturday as the Badgers kept their undefeated season alive. The team won both matches on the card by identical 7-0 scores, beating Bradley first and then Green Bay. This performance moves Wisconsin to a 6-0 record and marks the program’s best start to a season since 1992. For supporters, it confirms that the squad is ready to compete at the top level without dropping a single match so far.

The Badgers took control early in the doubles portion of the first match. Freshman MaryAnn Rompf and senior Kelsey Grambeau defeated Theresa Tebon and Tallie Piaskowski with a 6-1 score. Following that, sophomore Melissa Pick and freshman Lexi Keberle won 6-0 against Maria Neff and Samm Pedersen. In the second match against Green Bay, the visitors were short-handed with only five players available. This numerical disadvantage made it difficult for Green Bay to keep pace with Wisconsin’s consistent play.

The momentum from doubles carried seamlessly into singles, where no Wisconsin player surrendered a set. Keberle, playing at first singles, beat Tebon 6-1, 6-1. She remains unbeaten in both singles and doubles, holding a combined record of 7-0. Rompf followed with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Piaskowski. Michelle Linden secured the third singles win against Sterre Tijssens, 6-1, 6-0. Pick shut out Neff 6-0, 6-0, and Christina Zordani finished the match by beating Pedersen 6-0, 6-1. Zordani now holds a 5-0 singles record this season.

Head coach Kelcy McKenna praised the team for focusing on factors within their control. She noted that the players did a great job with their attitude, effort, and energy, calling those three elements extremely important to the team’s success. McKenna explained that the group must concentrate on doing the little things right in practice. She emphasized managing details in daily drills and match simulations to ensure the team is ready for National Indoors and the remainder of the spring.

Despite the perfect record, McKenna identified specific areas for improvement, particularly in doubles. She stated the team needs to do a better job cleaning up serves and returns. The coach wants to ensure Wisconsin is the first team to be aggressive and that players are hitting their spots on service plays. She also stressed the importance of protecting the advantage when winning the doubles point. The team must carry that momentum into singles, stay gritty, and avoid giving away free points.

The next opportunity for Wisconsin to extend its unbeaten start is scheduled for Feb. 9-12. The Badgers will host the National Team Indoor Championship during that window. The team will look to maintain the same level of control and energy they displayed on Saturday as they face tougher competition in the upcoming indoor season.