Related Links:
Denison Box Score
DePauw Box Score

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's tennis squad started play at the Midwest Invitational Friday in Madison.  

The No. 33 Warhawks (9-8) lost to No. 27 Denison (Ohio) (9-6) and dropped a rematch against DePauw (Ind.) (7-9).  Both duals ended in 6-3 scores. The Warhawks are now 1-1 against DePauw on the season.  

Against Denison, the Warhawks took two of three points in doubles thanks to 8-6 wins in the second slot by sophomore Sabrina Palavra (Skokie, Ill./Niles North) and freshman Olivia Kraft (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community), and in the third slot by sophomore Paige Nierman (Hawthorn Woods, Ill./Stevenson) and freshman Molly Rueth (Wheaton, Ill./Glenbard West). In singles, senior Gabi Kitchell (Wausau, Wis./D.C. Everest) claimed the lone point in the first slot 6-2, 6-1.

Against DePauw, Nierman and Rueth claimed the lone Warhawks doubles point in an 8-5 victory in the third slot.   Kitchell claimed another singles point in the first slot while Palavra took a 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 (11-9) point in the fourth singles match.    The Warhawks would drop the remaining singles matches.

The Warhawks return to action Saturday morning at the Midwest Invitational.  They will face No. 30 Hope (Mich.) at 8 a.m. in the seventh-place match.