Vitale went 3-0 during the week. With two of UW-Whitewater’s players at ITA nationals, Vitale moved into action against UW-La Crosse and Winona State University (Minn.) on Oct. 14. Against UW-La Crosse, she got a key win at No. 5 singles in a 6-3 team win. Vitale trailed Andrea Vivian 2-5 in the first set before mounting a comeback, but lost the first set in a tiebreak. The second set was another battle that she won in a tiebreak to force a match tiebreak. She was down early, but once again came back to win 6-7, 7-6, (10-8). Vitale also beat Andrea Kruger of Winona State 6-1, 6-4 at No. 5 singles in the win over the NCAA Division II opponent later that day. On Oct. 16, she beat UW-Eau Claire’s Lexi DeMario 7-6, 6-1 at No. 6 singles.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Katie Gillman, Sophomore, Red Wing, Minn.
UW-La Crosse, Abby Tresedder, Sophomore, Kingsford, Mich.
UW-Oshkosh, Lauren Piotrowski, Sophomore, Greendale, Wis.