Michigan women's tennis emerges from 'rock bottom' to host NCAA Tournament rounds
The Michigan women's tennis team was ranked as low as No. 76, but bounced back to win Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles.
Things looked dreary for the Michigan women’s tennis team earlier this season. The Wolverines, coming off the program’s first Final Four appearance and featuring several returning players, were ranked 76th after an early stretch of four straight losses to ranked teams. But things changed after Oklahoma State, then ranked No.
12, had to cancel hosting a match with Michigan. Head coach Ronni Bernstein, in her 19th season, quickly scheduled Xavier in Cincinnati in late February, and it seemed going on the road was what the team needed. Michigan (19-6, 12-1 Big Ten) is now ranked No.
12 nationally and coming off Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles. The Wolverines defeated No. 5 Ohio State for the first time this season, 4-2, for the league tournament championship held in Columbus last Sunday, and are now preparing to host NCAA Tournament first- and second-round matches Saturday and Sunday at the Varsity Tennis Center.
The Wolverines, hosting the first weekend for the 12th time since 2010 and the fourth straight season, face Illinois State (18-6) on Saturday, while Toledo (13-8) plays No. 17 Florida (16-7). The winners advance to the second round Sunday.