In their final non-conference showdown, the Wisconsin Badgers (6-6) fell to James Madison, 4-3. The match concluded UW’s road trip to Virginia, and was played in a neutral setting at Virginia Tech.
The Badgers found themselves down early, losing the doubles point. Senior Sara Castellano and freshman MaryAnn Rompf were defeated 6-4 to James Madison’s Elizabeth Norman and Diane Flament. The Dukes clinched the doubles point after the sophomore duo Michelle Linden and Christina Zordani fell to Jona Roka and Dylan Owens 6-3.
Standout freshman Lexi Keberle got UW on the board at first singles, taking down Roka 6-2, 6-1. And senior Kelsey Grambeau built off Keberle’s momentum, defeating Emma Petersen 7-6 (5), 6-0. For the Badgers’ third point, Linden outlasted Kimmy Herrock 3-6, 7-6 (5), 10-8. But Wisconsin struggled at third and fifth singles. Rompf lost to Anna Makarkva 6-4, 6-2. At the five slot, sophomore Melissa Pick was taken down by Flament 6-2, 6-0.
To clinch the victory for the Dukes, Norman defeated Castellano 7-6 (2), 6-4.
The loss marks Wisconsin’s sixth straight loss after opening the season 6-0. The Badgers struggled in their two road trips to Las Vegas and Virginia following their three losses in the ITA Women’s Team Indoor Championship.
UW opens its Big Ten conference schedule on Saturday, when it looks to bounce back against conference rival Minnesota.
