Saturday, 03/24/2012

MADISON, Wis. -- Facing its highest-ranked opponent of the season, the Wisconsin women’s tennis team could not overcome the strong play of the 20th-ranked Michigan Wolverines Saturday, falling, 7-0, at the Varsity Tennis Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Saturday’s shutout loss was Wisconsin’s second of the season, putting UW at 9-5 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten. Meanwhile, Michigan remains undefeated in league play with two wins and an overall record of 9-5.

UW was shut out for the first time this season in doubles action.

Facing the seventh-ranked doubles pair in the country, senior Alaina Trgovich and junior Hannah Berner suffered an 8-4 loss to Emina Bektas and Brooke Bolender at the No. 1 spot.

Despite taking an early 3-1 lead, Wisconsin’s No. 2 doubles team of sophomore Nicky Stracar and freshman Nova Patel could not keep up the pace, dropping an 8-5 decision to Mimi Nguyen and Michelle Sulahian.

At No. 3, the senior duo of Aleksandra Markovic and Angela Chupa kept it close, but ultimately came out on the losing end of an 8-6 decision to Sarah Lee and Sam Critser.

Wisconsin did not fare much better in singles play.

Freshman Sarah Loebel suffered Wisconsin’s first singles defeat with a 6-0, 6-2 loss to No. 124 Nguyen at court four.

At No. 5, Patel also faced a ranked Wolverine in No. 106 Critser, who handed the Wisconsin freshman a 6-3, 6-4 loss.

Michigan clinched the match at court three as Lee defeated Berner, 6-3, 6-3.

Markovic was ousted, 6-1, 6-2, at the No. 6 spot by Kristen Dodge, while Stracar was topped, 6-2, 6-4, at court two by No. 64 Brooke Bolender.

In her second-straight appearance at the top singles spot, Trgovich was able to get eight games off Bektas, but in the end the 10th-ranked Wolverine was able to close out the match, 6-2, 7-6 (7).

The Badgers continue their search for their first conference win of the season tomorrow when they pay Michigan State a visit. First serve is scheduled for 10 a.m. (CT) in East Lansing, Mich.

Final Results:
No. 20 Michigan 7 – Wisconsin 0

Singles
No. 1 -- No. 10 Emina Bektas (U-M) def. Alaina Trgovich (UW), 6-2, 7-6 (7)
No. 2 -- No. 64 Brooke Bolender (U-M) def. Nicky Stracar (UW), 6-2, 6-4
No. 3 -- Sarah Lee (U-M) def. Hannah Berner (UW), 6-3, 6-3
No. 4 -- No. 124 Mimi Nguyen (U-M) def. Sarah Loebel (UW), 6-0, 6-2
No. 5 -- No. 106 Sam Critser (U-M) def. Nova Patel (UW), 6-3, 6-4
No. 6 -- Kristen Dodge (U-M) def. Aleksandra Markovic (UW), 6-1, 6-2

Order of finish:
4, 5, 3, 6, 1, 2

Doubles
No. 1 -- No. 7 Brooke Bolender/Emina Bektas (U-M) def. Alaina Trgovich/Hannah Berner (UW), 8-4
No. 2 -- Mimi Nguyen/Michelle Sulahian (U-M) def. Nicky Stracar/Nova Patel (UW), 8-5
No. 3 -- Sarah Lee/Sam Critser (U-M) def. Aleksandra Markovic/Angela Chupa (UW), 8-6

Order of finish:
1, 2, 3