A 7-0 sweep of Ohio State on Sunday earned the women's tennis team a No. 5 seed for the Big Ten Tournament for the second year in a row and boosted Wisconsin to a four-way tie in the league. The Badgers (6-4 Big Ten, 14-7 overall) received a bye in the first round and will commence play in East Lansing, Mich. on Friday against No. 4 seeded Illinois.
Wisconsin lost a 4-3 match to Illinois in their last meeting April 16. The Badgers stole the doubles point and two singles points garnered by sophomore Kaylan Caitai and sophomore Caitlin Burke, yet Illinois took the remaining four singles matches for the win.
\We had a lot of close matches,"" senior No. 1 singles player Katie McGaffigan said. ""I think if we can get that doubles point [on Friday] we will get the momentum going into the match. I think we could get this one.""
The Badgers have jumbled their doubles teams since their last matchup against the Illini. Wisconsin experimented with a variety of combinations hoping to find a comfortable fit. Coach Henderson believes they have found solid matches to bring to the tournament.
""I feel good about what we're going to present,"" head coach Patti Henderson said. ""We've got to find three teams that every time you put them on the court, they're going to give us everything they've got and they're going to give each other everything they've got. I think we've accomplished that right now.""
The new combinations proved to be successful against Ohio State. The No. 2 doubles team of senior Lindsay Martin and Caitai garnered their first win as a team this season against the Buckeyes. Henderson hopes this win will propel their confidence into the Big Ten Tournament.
""We had faith in them, but to see them put together a convincing 8-0 win over Ohio State, I think gives them faith in each other as well,"" Henderson said.
The Badgers ended regular season play Sunday, sharing third place with Michigan, Purdue, and weekend rival Illinois. Henderson is pleased with the team's success, considering the stiff Big Ten competition.
""[The teams] are so even this year,"" Henderson said. ""Any of us can beat any other on a given day.""
Wisconsin has maintained a ranking within the top 50 throughout the season. The ITA recently recognized the Badgers for their accomplishments as a team and as individuals throughout the season.
Sophomore Caitlin Burke currently leads the Badgers with 22 overall wins and seven conference wins garnering her a No. 106 ranking. She has an 11-game winning streak in No. 2 singles competition this season. She is hopeful for team success in the post season play.
""I feel like we have a really good chance to get into the NCAA tournament right now,"" Burke said. ""But, I think we'll also have to do well in the Big Ten Tournaments too.""
A rematch against Illinois gives the Badgers the added advantage of knowing the competition they are faced with. With new doubles combinations and strong confidence coming off of a sweep, Coach Henderson feels the team is ready.
""We lost a close 4-3 match to Illinois this season, and I'd like to think that they are ready to take them on again,"" Henderson said. ""You always want a chance to play a team that beat you again, and we got that wish. I think we'll do the best we can with it.\
