Feb. 13, 2008

Milwaukee - The Marquette women's tennis team continued its struggle against Big Ten foes as it fell Wednesday night to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 5-2.

Playing with two new teams due to the absences of Erin Watkins and Lauren Little, the Badgers capitalized by taking the doubles point. Pushed to the No. 1 doubles spot from their normal No. 2 position, Maria Calbeto and Christina Ruiz fell to Elizabeth Carpenter and Jessica Seyferth, 8-5.

In No. 2 doubles action, Rachael Hush and Shannon Brown, after being up 6-3, dropped a close one, 9-7, to Morgan Tuttle and Chelsea Nusslock. Marquette's lone win in doubles play came by Maggie Wilson and Elly Strother, as they defeated Katya Mirnova and Ernese Kardhordo, 8-5.

The in-state rival proved too much to handle in singles play without Little and Watkins. Once again Calbeto was forced into the No. 1 spot and filled in admirably, beating Elizabeth Carpenter in two sets, 6-2, 6-4.

"Maria had a lot of determination today. She wanted to win badly and had to step up her play accordingly." head coach Jody Bronson said. "This was a big step. It will help her confidence, especially with the victory two spots above her normal position."

Freshman Christina Ruiz jumped from No. 4 singles to No. 2 and took down Ernese Kardhordo, in a hotly contested final set, 6-4, 6-7 (10-9).

The match this afternoon marked the third straight against a member of the Big Ten and fifth in the last month. After playing a Big Ten-heavy early schedule, the Golden Eagles return to action Saturday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m., when they host Northern Illinois at Helfaer Tennis Stadium.

Wisconsin 5, Marquette 2

Singles competition

1. Maria Calbeto (MARQ) def. Elizabeth Carpenter (UW) 6-2, 6-4

2. Christina Ruiz (MARQ) def. Ernese Kardhordo (UW) 6-4, 6-7 (10-9)

3. Jessica Seyferth (UW) def. Rachael Hush (MARQ) 3-0 (retired)

4. Katya Mirnova (UW) def. Robin Metzler (MARQ) 6-2, 6-2

5. Morgan Tuttle (UW) def. Elly Strother (MARQ) 6-3, 6-3

6. Chelsea Nusslock (UW) def. Maggie Wilson (MARQ) 6-4, 2-6, 6-0

Doubles competition

1. Elizabeth Carpenter/Jessica Seyferth (UW) def. Maria Calbeto/Christina Ruiz (MARQ) 8-5

2. Morgan Tuttle/Chelsea Nusslock (UW) def. Rachael Hush/Shannon Brown (MARQ) 9-7

3. Maggie Wilson/Elly Strother (MARQ) def. Katya Mirnova/Ernese Kardhordo (UW) 8-5