MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin women’s tennis team heads to Durham, North Carolina on Saturday, January 28 for the 14th annual Intercollegiate Tennis Association Kickoff Weekend.
Here are five things to know:
1. KNOW THE OPPONENTS: The first match sees the Badgers take on SMU at 1 p.m. (CT). Wisconsin is currently ranked no. 45 in the country, one behind the Mustangs at no. 44. SMU are 2-1 on the season and are coming off of a 5-2 loss against Texas. The Mustangs have one ranked singles player in no. 113 Hadley Doyle and two ranked doubles teams (No. 32 Taylor Johnson/Jackie Nylander and no. 38 Winslow Huth/Lana Mavor).
The Badgers will face either no. 4 Duke or no. 62 VCU on Sunday, January 29, depending on results.
2.. LOOKING BACK: Wisconsin has a 2-1 all-time record against SMU, last playing the side on February 28, 2022. It was a big upset on the road for the Badgers, who beat the then no. 36 ranked Mustangs, 4-3. After losing the doubles point and the first two singles matches, the team fell behind 3-0. However, the Badgers won four straight singles matches to earn the 4-3 victory.
3. RECAPPING THE WEEK: The Badgers stepped up to the challenge of facing both no. 2 ranked North Carolina and Samford in a doubleheader on January 21. Despite the Badgers losing 6-1 against North Carolina, who have three top-10 ranked singles players, the women were able to force a third set in three of the matches.
Against Samford, Wisconsin won 7-0 in an impressive showing that saw all six singles matches go to the Badgers.
4. HOW TO FOLLOW: Follow along with the matches through both livestream and live stats. Also, follow the Wisconsin women’s tennis on Twitter (@BadgerWTennis) and Instagram (@badgerwtennis).
5. UP NEXT: The Badgers play their first home match of the season on February 2 against Northern Illinois. The first serve is set for 9:30 a.m. (CT) at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium. Later that day the team also faces Milwaukee at 1 p.m. (CT).
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