The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s tennis finished in fourth place in the Horizon League after a 7-0 defeat to Cleveland St. Saturday afternoon.

Only securing one win in three doubles matches and getting swept in all singles matches, the Panthers remain in good standing before the end of the season.

“The school record is 13 wins in a season (last year, 13-10),” said head coach Matt McCaskill. “Right now, we are 11-8 and our goal is to break that record. Our last 4 matches are all conference matches, and then at least two more in the conference tournament, so I think it is a realistic goal.”

Kari Kastenholz and Kelly Drvaric obtained their only doubles successes with an 8-5 win. But they soon gave up their doubles points, after losing the other two matches.

“Our weakness has been our doubles play. We can’t seem to put together three solid teams,” said McCaskill. “Kari and Kelly have been solid at No. 1, but I may have to split them up.”

In singles play, Drvaric brought her No. 1 singles match to three sets, but ended up losing in a tiebreaker 10-6. Also, Kastenholz lost her No. 2 singles match in a 7-5 and 6-3 loss, after having a seven singles winning streak.

“In the past, we have had a lot of trouble with Cleveland,” said McCaskill. “I believe that they are one of the top four teams in the conference.”

The Panthers record is now 11-9 overall and 3-2 in the Horizon League. They only have two more matches left, to be played at home, before the Horizon League Tournament which will be held in Indianapolis.

“I want to continue to grow this program, both on the court and off the court,” said McCaskill. “Next year will mark my first year where all of the players are mine. I recruited and brought in all of them and that is exciting. I think we are just beginning to realize how competitive we can be in the Horizon League.”

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