This season, the Michigan's women's tennis team has flown up the rankings to No. 7 — its highest ranking in program history— by priding itself on excellent doubles play and sound all-around game.

But, this weekend in Durham N.C., the Wolverines faced sixth-ranked defending national champion Duke who showed Michigan what they lacked to take the next step toward a championship, beating the Wolverines 5-2.

Michigan got out to a fast start claiming the doubles point, which has been crucial to its success. In a lineup change, juniors Whitney Taney and Rika Tatsuno were moved up to first doubles, where they earned a victory 8-5.

The duo of sophomore Michelle Sulahian and freshman Mimi Nguyen continued its success in doubles as they defeated the No. 28 Duke pairing, the first victory over a ranked doubles opponent. They pushed forward as a team and were able to finish the points off.

"We were playing outdoors, and I kept shanking balls," Nguyen laughed. "My first thought was to not shank any balls, but Michelle and I have been solid all season and we were really confident in our ability that we could beat that team."

After her victory in doubles, Nguyen — with the best record of any Wolverine, continued her flawless play and dismantled Duke's No. 73 Monica Gray 6-1, 6-2, without dropping serve and earning her third win over a ranked opponent.

"Duke was a good team," Nguyen said. "But we're a good team, and I was confident that I could handle my opponenet."

But after Nguyen's victory, the match got away from Michigan. Four of Duke's five ranked singles players — besides Gray — picked up their play by out-manuevering and out-hitting the Wolverines. A 2-1 lead soon turned into a 5-2 defeat.

Junior Denise Muresan found herself in another very tight match. In a very close tie-breaker, she lost the first set by just one point on her service game 7-6 (7-5). Then, after Duke had clinched the match, she fell in the second set 6-4.

Against No. 47 Blue Devil Elizabeth Plotkin, senior Tania Mahtani claimed the first set in a tie-break, but could not hold on. She was only able to hold serve once in the next two sets while losing 6-7, 6-0, 6-1.

Despite the loss, Michigan had many positives.

For one, the Wolverines showed that they can play with the premier programs in the country. And it demonstrated once again that its doubles teams are to be feared for they can beat anyone on any given day.

"At one point, we could of won the match," coach Ronni Bernstein said. "We were playing the defending national champs, and there was a time when we would play Duke and wouldn't have a chance, but the team is getting better and we feel we can play with anyone."

This match gave the Wolverines insight into what they must become as the season goes along in drive, in terms of grit and mental toughness. They took the lead in the match, but could not finish it. Muresan could not convert in the tie-break and Mahtani was not the same player after she took the first set. They need to be able to finish matches against the top programs as the season goes along if they have hope of contending.

Next week, Michigan returns to play against two ranked team in No. 23 TCU and No. 5 Baylor. It will look to use this new experience to develop a more balanced game which it will need to prove itself worthy of its new ranking.

"Hopefully next time we can win those big points, and win those big matches," Bernstein said.