UNI splits weekend road trip in Wisconsin

CADEN SHEA Sports Writer

The UNI Panthers traveled across state lines this weekend as they faced two Wisconsin teams in tennis action. The Panthers first defeated the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks on their home turf 5-2. UNI was not as successful in their second trip as they lost to the University of WisconsinMilwaukee Panthers on the losing end of a 5-2 score.

UNI won all of its doubles matches against the Warhawks. Lorena Cardoso and Darta Dalecka won their contest 6-3. Andrijana Brkic and Kim Zizek won 6-1 over the duo of Lee and Nikoleit. The Panthers rounded out their victories as Thaissa Moreira and Isaa Sullivan downed their opponents 6-3.

Dalecka won the first singles contest of the day as she swept her opponent in the first set, dropped the second 6-4 and reigned victorious after a 6-3 third set. Brkic won in straight sets 6-0 and 6-3. Cardoso lost her matchup after going the distance with the Warhawks’ Schlicht. She lost the first 6-1, won the second 6-4 and dropped the final set in a grueling 10-8 duel. Zizek won in straight sets 6-4 and 6-0. Moreira also won her match in straight sets of 6-3 and 6-2. The dual concluded with Sullivan dropping straight sets 6-3 and 3-1. The Panthers were victorious over their opponents 5-2.

The doubles set against the Milwaukee Panthers was a radical shift from their previous matchup. UNI lost their first two matches, canceling what would’ve been the final doubles match. Brkic and Zizek lost 6-2 while Moreira and Sullivan also lost 6-2. Dalecka and Cardoso were down 4-3 when their set was abruptly canceled.

Dalecka lost in straight sets 6-2 and 6-4 to Milwaukee’s Burgerdijk. Brkic was victorious, sweeping her opponent 6-3 and 6-1. Cardoso won her first contest 6-1 before losing the next two 6-3 and 6-4. Zizek lost her first contest 6-0, won a 7-5 barnburner and lost her final game with a 6-0 loss. Morerira lost 6-4 and 6-0, dropping her match against her Milwaukee singles opponent. Kanyanut Sudsaard won her second singles match of the season in two straight 6-3 victories. The Panthers ultimately lost 6-2.

The Panthers will be in Missouri Valley Conference action in a dual meet against the University of Illinois Chicago Flames on Sunday, March 19 at their home court in Waterloo at 10 a.m.