The women's tennis team encountered several stumbling blocks in this past weekend's trip to Madison, Wis. for the United States Tennis Association/ITA National Women's Team Indoor Championship. Touted as the premier indoor event in women's collegiate tennis, the Deacons recorded losses in all three matches played in the Nielsen Tennis Stadium at the University of Wisconsin.

The Deacs were ranked No. 13 at the beginning of the season, but entered tournament play ranked No. 28 in the nation after a Feb. 1 loss to Yale. The team drew a tough opening round draw against No. 3 Georgia. The Bulldogs boast four nationally ranked singles players, including the No. 1 singles player Agata Cioroch. The Deacons lost to Georgia 5-2, with victories coming from sophomores Katie Martzolf and Danielle Schwartz in singles play. Both girls proved their mental toughness as they came from behind to reach victory in their respective matches. After dropping the first set 2-6, Martzolf rallied to upset No. 35-ranked Anne Nguyen with 7-6 (3), 6-4 wins in the second and third sets. Martzolf is currently ranked No. 70 in singles competition by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Wake Forest's other win came from Schwartz in No. 3 singles over Lori Grey 2-6, 6-2, 10-7.

Georgia dominated in doubles play, sweeping all three matches. The combination of sophomore Karin Coetzee and junior Aimee Smith fought hard at No. 1 doubles before falling 8-7 (5) to Cioroch and Grey of Georgia. Georgia, the tournament's defending champion, went on to lose 5-2 to the University of Southern California in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

As the Deacons moved to the consolation bracket, they faced No. 14 Northwestern. Coming off a 4-3 loss to USC in the previous match, Northwestern came out swinging against the Deacs. This match proved to be most overwhelming for the Deacons, who fell 6-1. The Wildcats soundly defeated the Deacs in the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 singles matches, all of which were won in straight sets. Smith, playing in the No. 5 singles, recorded the only singles win for the team, defeating Ruth Barnes 6-1, 4-6, 7-5. Martzolf was one of few on the team who displayed consistent performance during the weekend. She and Schwartz again won the No. 2 doubles, 8-3, over Andrea Yung/Ruth Barnes of Northwestern.

The weekend in Wisconsin ended Feb. 9 for the Deacons with a tough 4-3 loss to No. 59 Tulsa. Martzolf and Schwartz again complemented one another's play nicely in No. 2 doubles, defeating Daniela Muscolino and Mariana Barrios of Tulsa 8-3. The duo finished the tournament with an overall record of 2-1 in doubles play. Martzolf continued to shine with a No. 3. singles victory over Donata Majauskaite 6-2, 6-1.

Freshman Sandie Knight, from Adamstown, Australia, recorded her first victory in collegiate play over Tulsa's Barrios. Knight, playing at No. 6 singles, defeated Barrios in three sets, winning 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-2. Other outstanding play came from Smith in No. 5 singles, who soundly beat Timberly Greenly 6-4, 6-2.

With the score tied at 3-3, the match came down to the No. 1 singles play between Tulsa's Alicia Pillay and Coetzee. Coetzee attempted to come back on Pillay after losing the first set, but eventually fell to Pillay's outstanding talent.

"This week was difficult," Coetzee said. "We did have chances to win more matches, especially the match against Tulsa. If we can use our opportunities to close out the matches, hopefully we can do better in the upcoming games."

Duke defeated Florida in the championship match of the USTA/ITA National Women's Team Indoor Championship in a rousing 4-3 finish. "It was rough going to National Indoors and taking three losses, but we are going to take those losses and learn from them, and start preparing for our upcoming matches," Schwartz said. "We play away at Tennessee this weekend, and then home against Minnesota and William & Mary next weekend. We're going to continue to work hard and hopefully turn around the season and bring home some wins."

The Demon Deacons will look to improve their performance as they continue season play Feb. 15 against No. 11 Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn.