The Wisconsin women’s tennis team (2-3 Big Ten, 8-9 overall) looks to right the ship in conference play as they host Penn State and No. 30 Ohio State this week in their final matches at home this season.
After starting 2-1 in the Big Ten, the Badgers have since dropped their last two matches. The Badgers were defeated 5-2 at Purdue and 6-1 at home to Michigan State.
All competitors should be relieved to play in Madison’s indoor Nielsen Tennis Center as winter makes its final surge in Madison where temperatures will hover around freezing outside during the matches.
Wisconsin’s first ever blue-chip recruit, West Bend native, freshman Lexi Keberle, looks to continue her tear in her debut season with the Badgers. At first singles Keberle has burst out to a 12-3 record overall and 4-1 in conference. All eyes should be on her tough match Sunday against Ohio State’s Anna Sanford (11-2), who, as a senior, looks to make the Big Ten’s All-Conference Team for her fourth time.
Keberle will potentially join senior Kelsey Grambeau at first doubles where UW lost its previous match at Michigan State 6-2.
Penn State (1-4, 6-10) comes to Madison having lost six of its last seven, including shutout losses to Nebraska and Michigan.
Ohio State (3-2, 9-5) will arrive having won four of its last five matches. Before its match against the Badgers, it will take on Minnesota in Minneapolis this Friday.
With wins, the Badgers will have the opportunity to climb back into the top five of the conference standings and climb back over .500 in the Big Ten. Currently occupied at the top are Michigan and No. 13 Northwestern, who both remain undefeated at 6-0.
Beating No. 30 Ohio State will give the Badgers their first win over a ranked opponent and provide them with some much needed momentum as they begin their gauntlet of a stretch on the road against No. 13 Northwestern, No. 11 Illinois, and No. 38 Nebraska.
Wisconsin will host Penn State at 5 p.m. this Friday at the Nielsen Tennis Center and will return to take on Ohio State Sunday at 12 p.m..
