MADISON, Wis. -- DePaul continued its winning ways on Saturday, outlasting Wisconsin 4-3 in its closest match since early February.
For the Blue Demons (14-1), it was their 13th consecutive victory. Wisconsin fell to 4-3 with the loss.
The Badgers dropped the No. 3 doubles match and No. 6 singles match due to injuries. As a result, the Blue Demons were able to grab the doubles point and the final singles point to secure the match.
"We were fortunate to win today," head coach Mark Ardizzone said. "The Wisconsin kids did a great job of competing harder than us in a few spots for sure. It's a nice streak that we have going but we need to find ways to stay hungry."
Before winning the No. 3 doubles match, DePaul split the first two with the Badgers. Patricia Fargas and Ana Vladutu won a critical No. 1 match 8-3 against Lauren Burich and Nova Patel before Jasmin Kling and Kelsey Lawson fell to Lauren Chypyha and Anastasia Tripolskaya 8-3 in the No. 2 slot.
In singles play, Lawson responded in the No. 4 match to put DePaul up 2-0 in the match. She beat Sydney Rider 6-1, 6-0 to improve to 12-1 in dual play.
But Wisconsin rallied to win at No. 3 and No. 5 singles to even the match 2-2.
Then, Ana Vladutu beat Burich in the No. 2 match 6-2, 6-4, to allow the Blue Demons to reclaim the lead at 3-2. Vladutu's win essentially clinched the match due to DePaul's automatic win in the No. 6 position.
Wisconsin is the first team to take a point from the Blue Demons in a match since South Dakota State did so in a 6-1 loss on Feb. 15.
"Good teams survive tests and that's what we did today," Ardizzone said. "We need to really get ready for another Big East and Big 10 program right away, though."
