Badgers Tennis Posts 14-0 Duals Score to Reach 6-0

Wisconsin women’s tennis players combined for a 14-0 victory in duals on Saturday, securing their sixth straight win of the season. The Badgers defeated Bradley and Green Bay in consecutive matches, posting identical 7-0 scores in each event. This result marks the best start to a season in program history since 1992.

The season began with a dominant performance against Bradley. Wisconsin took the lead in doubles, with freshman MaryAnn Rompf and senior Kelsey Grambeau defeating Theresa Tebon and Tallie Piaskowski by a score of 6-1. Sophomore Melissa Pick and freshman Lexi Keberle followed with a 6-0 win over Maria Neff and Samm Pedersen. The team converted that advantage into singles victories without dropping a set.

The second match against Green Bay followed a similar pattern. The opposing team played short-handed with only five players available. Wisconsin maintained its control, winning all seven matches. Lexi Keberle defeated Tebon at first singles with a 6-1, 6-1 score. Her performance extends her personal record to 7-0 in both singles and doubles combined.

MaryAnn Rompf won the second singles match against Piaskowski, 6-3, 6-1. Michelle Linden secured the third singles point against Sterre Tijssens with a 6-1, 6-0 victory. Melissa Pick shut out Neff in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0. Christina Zordani finished the match by defeating Pedersen 6-0, 6-1, improving her season singles record to 5-0.

Head coach Kelcy McKenna attributed the results to the team’s focus on controllable factors. "They did a great job with the controlables: their attitude, their effort and their energy," McKenna said. She emphasized that these elements are essential for the team's continued success.

Despite the perfect record, McKenna identified areas for improvement, particularly in doubles. The coach stated the team must clean up serves and returns to be more aggressive. "We have to make sure as we move into singles, if we do have the doubles point, that we carry the momentum with us and try to be gritty and not give away free points," McKenna said.

The Badgers will next compete in the National Team Indoor Championship. The tournament is scheduled for Feb. 9-12, with Wisconsin hosting the event.