Terrapins Fall Short Against No. 18 Wisconsin: A 4-2 Setback in Madison
The University of Maryland women’s tennis team faced a challenging match against the No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers on Friday, ultimately falling short with a score of 4-2. This tightly contested battle highlighted the resilience of both teams but ultimately showcased the Badgers' strength on their home courts.
A Tale of Two Doubles: Tensions Rising
The meet kicked off with doubles action that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Danielle Hack and Kallista Liu made an impressive start for the Terps, decisively sweeping their No. 2 doubles match 6-0, marking their second consecutive win together. However, the Badgers quickly retaliated by taking the No. 1 doubles match against Diya Challa and Ema Kovacevic 6-2.
With the doubles point hanging in the balance, Wisconsin clinched the overall advantage by winning the No. 3 doubles match 6-3. This gave the Badgers a crucial early lead of 1-0.
Singles Showdown: Maryland Fights Back
As the singles matches unfolded, Wisconsin extended their lead by taking the No. 1 singles match 6-3, 6-1. Just when it seemed like the momentum was firmly in the Badgers' favor, Danielle Hack stepped up again for Maryland, securing a crucial win in the No. 3 singles match with a score of 6-2, 6-4. This win was a much-needed lifeline, bringing the Terps back into contention.
Oliwia Orlinska continued the rally for Maryland by triumphing in the No. 4 singles match, securing her win in two straight sets. The tide was turning, and it appeared that a Maryland comeback was possible.
The Closing Stages: Wisconsin Clinches Victory
However, the Badgers pushed back hard. Wisconsin took control once more, winning the No. 5 singles match against Tamari Gagoshidze, putting them ahead 3-2. The tension escalated as the No. 2 singles match went to three sets, where Ema Kovacevic battled fiercely but ultimately fell short.
As the dust settled, Diya Challa was leading in her No. 6 singles match when Wisconsin clinched the victory, marking the Badgers' strong hold on the match.
Breaking Down the Action
Doubles Match Outcomes:
Ariel Johnson/Maria Sholokhova (WISC) defeated Diya Challa / [Ema Kovacevic](https://umterps.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/ema-kovacevic/14385] (UMD) — 6-2
Danielle Hack / Kallista Liu (UMD) defeated Taylor Cataldi/Ellison Reynoldson (WISC) — 6-0
Ekaterina Ivanova/Tianna Rangan (WISC) defeated Tamari Gagoshidze / Oliwia Orlinska (UMD) — 6-3
Order of finish: 2, 1, 3
Singles Match Outcomes:
Maria Sholokhova (WISC) defeated Kallista Liu (UMD) — 6-3, 6-1
Ekaterina Ivanova (WISC) defeated Ema Kovacevic (UMD) — 7-6, 5-7, 6-1
Danielle Hack (UMD) defeated Tianna Rangan (WISC) — 6-2, 6-4
Oliwia Orlinska (UMD) defeated Ellison Reynoldson (WISC) — 5-7, 6-2, 6-3
Ariel Johnson (WISC) defeated Tamari Gagoshidze (UMD) — 6-0, 6-2
Kaja Jacobson (WISC) vs. Diya Challa (UMD) — 1-6, 1-4 (unfinished)
Order of finish: 1, 3, 4, 5, 2
Looking Ahead: The Terps’ Next Challenge
Despite the loss, the Terps look to regroup and show their spirit in the upcoming match. Maryland will face Minnesota on Sunday, March 30th, at 1 PM. Fans will be eager to see how the team rallies from this tough encounter against a ranked opponent. Follow the Maryland Terrapins journey to redemption on their official site for more updates!
For more insights into the world of college tennis, stay tuned!
