Women's Tennis

UW-Whitewater Wins 15th Consecutive Women’s Tennis Title

MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater won its 15th consecutive title at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women’s Tennis Championship (presented by Culver’s) at Nielsen Tennis Stadium on Oct. 24.
 
The league crown in the 22nd in program archives for the Warhawks, who won the trophy with 21 points. UW-Eau Claire placed second with 18 points, UW-La Crosse third with 15, UW-Stevens Point fourth with 12, UW-Stout fifth with 9, UW-River Falls sixth with six and UW-Oshkosh seventh with three.
 
This year’s team title was determined by using a combination of the regular-season dual-meet standings and the WIAC championship results. The finish in the regular-season standings accounted for one-third of the criteria, while the conference championship accounted for the remaining two-thirds.

At the two-day league championship, UW-Whitewater compiled 55 points (14 overall championship points), while UW-Eau Claire was second with 54 points (12), UW-La Crosse third with 52 (10), UW-Stevens Point fourth with 35 (8), UW-Stout fifth with 25 (6), UW-River Falls sixth with 17 (4) and UW-Oshkosh seventh with 14 (2).
 
Point distribution following the dual-meet rotation consisted of: UW-Whitewater (6-0) (7 points); UW-Eau Claire (5-1) (6 points); UW-La Crosse (4-2) (5 points); UW-Oshkosh (3-3) (4 points); UW-River Falls (2-4) (3 points); UW-Stevens Point (1-5) (2 points); and UW-Stout (0-6) (1 point).

UW-Whitewater, UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse and UW-Stevens Point advance to the team tournament in the spring that will determine the conference's automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Championship. UW-Whitewater will host the four-team event.

UW-Whitewater won a singles and double title enroute to the victory. Olivia Kraft claimed the No. 3 singles title with a 6-3, 6-2 decision over UW-La Crosse’s Kellie Hierl. Kraft also paired with Autumn Bruno to secure the No. 1 doubles crown after an 8-6 victory over UW-Eau Claire’s Lindsey Henderson & Elaine Franta. Kraft was a No. 3 doubles champion in 2019.
 
UW-Eau Claire secured two singles crowns and a pair of doubles championships with Samantha Fuchs winning No. 4 singles with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over UW-Whitewater’s Kellie Ha. The Blugolds’ Alexa Brooks was victorious at No. 5 singles with a 0-6, 6-2 (10-8) triumph over UW-Whitewater’s Courtney Day.
 
In doubles action, UW-Eau Claire’s Clare Palen & Samantha Fuchs teamed for a 8-2 victory in the title match at No. 2 doubles against UW-La Crosse’s Tasha Bailey & Kaitlyn Kalinka. Alexa Brooks and Morgan Nelson were victors at No. 3 doubles following an 8-1 result over UW-Whitewater’s Madalyn Bigelow & Kellie Ha.
 
UW-La Crosse’s Kimberly Steinert captured No. 1 singles following a 6-3, 6-2 outcome over UW-Whitewater’s Autumn Bruno. The Eagles’ Tasha Bailey claimed No. 2 singles with a 6-1, 6-2 triumph over UW-Whitewater’s Gianna Nikoleit. At No. 6 singles, UW-La Crosse’s Kaitlyn Kalinka secured a 6-4, 7-5 victory over UW-Whitewater’s Molly Rueth.
 
UW-Whitewater’s Olivia Kraft received the Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award.
 
An All-Sportsmanship Team was chosen for individuals that displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season. It included one member from each school. Named to the squad were: UW-Eau Claire’s Elaine Franta; UW-La Crosse’s Kimberly Steinert; UW-Oshkosh’s Michelle Spicer; UW-River Falls’ Emma Heinert; UW-Stevens Point’s Kaylee Woelfel; UW-Stout’s Lauren Couves; and UW-Whitewater’s Kellie Ha.
 
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