The Milwaukee Panthers women’s tennis team narrowly lost to the University of Chicago in a close 4-3 match on Sunday at River Glen Elite. The result was decided by the final singles match, marking the second time in three days that Milwaukee’s fate came down to one contest.
Milwaukee (2-5) started strong, winning the doubles point against Chicago (4-1), which is ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division III. Nadiia Konieva and Sara Simonova defeated Lauren Khou and Charlotte Klein 6-3, while Emilia Durska and Nel Van Hout secured a 6-4 win at No. 1 doubles. Honoka Yamashita and Svava Schroeder were leading their match when play was halted after Milwaukee clinched the doubles point.
Nel Van Hout extended Milwaukee’s lead with her seventh straight singles victory, defeating Anika Paul 6-4, 6-3 at No. 2 singles. However, Chicago responded with wins at No. 6 and No. 5 singles to tie the score at two each before taking a lead with another win at No. 3.
Konieva leveled the overall score again for Milwaukee with a tiebreaker win over Sarena Biria at No. 1 singles, finishing 6-2, 7-6 (7-3). This set up the deciding match between Simonova and Tina Kintiroglou at No. 4 singles.
Simonova pushed her opponent to three sets but ultimately fell short: “It came down to Sara (Simonova) again,” head coach Mark Goldin said. “She was up 4-3 in the third but unfortunately lost in the end.”
Reflecting on his team’s performance, Goldin added: “The team battled hard and we are improving in every match,” he said. “The girls left it all on the court today, and although we ended up short, this is a result we can live with knowing that we did everything in our control to get the best result.” He also noted: “We are looking forward to a big week of training to continue to improve for conference season coming up in March.”
Milwaukee will remain home next weekend for matches against UIC on Friday and St. Thomas on Sunday.
The Panthers women’s tennis team competes as part of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s athletics program within NCAA Division I and is a member of the Horizon League based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The team participates in dual matches and tournaments while supporting student-athletes’ academic balance.
Singles results:
1. Nadiia Konieva (MKE) def. Sarena Biria (UCHICAGO) 6-2, 7-6 (7-3)
2. Nel Van Hout (MKE) def. Anika Paul (UCHICAGO) 6-4, 6-3
3. Clara Zou (UCHICAGO) def. Emilia Durska (MKE) 6-1, 7-5
4. Tina Kintiroglou (UCHICAGO) def. Sara Simonova (MKE) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
5. Lily Zawenah (UCHICAGO) def. Honoka Yamashita (MKE) 6-3, 6-1
6. Isabelle Chong (UCHICAGO) def Svava Schroeder (MKE)  6–0,  6–1
Doubles results:
1.Emilia Durska/Nel Van Hout(MKE )def.Oliwia Mikos/Lily Zawenah( UCHICAGO )  6–4
2.Nadiia Konieva/Sara Simonova(MKE )def.Lauren Khou/Charlotte Klein( UCHICAGO )  6–3
3.Honoka Yamashita/Svava Schroeder(MKE )vs.Sarena Biria/Anika Paul( UCHICAGO )   5–3 ,unfinished
