At 10:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night, the streets of Ann Arbor seem to be peaceful and quiet. But once a person enters Oosterbaan Fieldhouse, the illusion is shattered. Under bright-as-day lights, the women’s lacrosse team is in the midst of practice, racing all over the indoor field — the air thick with happy voices and the crisp sounds of its play.

“These girls are true student-athletes,” third-year coach Mary Ann Meltzer said. “They play because they love it. They put in the time and the effort, and not because they’re here on a scholarship or are given anything.”

Though the women’s lacrosse program can’t offer scholarships, it can offer one of the most competitive programs in the country. The team achieved club varsity status two years ago, resulting in a few important changes. The team now has an athletic trainer, and donors to the program can receive Victors Club points. It can also obtain academic support from the Athletic Department on an individual basis. Last season the team finished third at the national championships, and goalie Jackie Fu was named the defensive MVP of the tournament.

In the tournament, Michigan defeated Santa Barbara in the quarterfinals before losing to eventual national champion Cal Poly by one goal.

Expectations and goals are high once again for this promising team. One of the biggest obstacles the team must overcome is that some important players are spending the year abroad. But, Fu, first-team All-American forward Alyson Gilbride and captain and midfielder Karen Anderson will still be returning.

“I think everyone’s goal is to make the national (tournament) and to go a step farther and play for the national championship,” Meltzer said.

To get there, the team will first have to succeed in the regular season, as well as win in the league playoffs on April 23 in Toledo, Ohio.

Meltzer has prepared her team well for this year’s run. In addition to having a new conditioning coach and a demanding practice schedule, the team has had matches with some of the top teams in the country. Through meeting these challenges together, the team has developed the important quality of cohesiveness.

“We get along really well and have a lot of fun together,” Anderson said. “(Lacrosse) is definitely not a sport you can win with individuals. You have to have a strong team defense and offense. It’s important to work as a unit.”

In the recent invitational held at Oosterbaan, the team bounced back from the tough three losses at the Cal Poly Invitational and went 4-0. Michigan outscored opponents by a cumulative score of 75-3 and recorded two shutouts.

“We got some wins under our belt, and the team really connected,” Meltzer said.

“The midfield transitions were fast, moving the ball from defense to attack,” Anderson added.

Despite its tremendous success, there are still areas where the team wants to improve before their next match on April 6 against Dennison University in Granville, Ohio.

“(We want to improve on) setting up our offense and our settled attack,” Meltzer said. “(Dennison) is a fairly decent (Division III) team.”

Another important upcoming game will be April 13 against Michigan State.

“This is the third year in a row we play them at Grosse Pointe High School,” Anderson said. “A lot of the high school teams come and watch. It’s nice to let the high school girls come and see what college lacrosse is about.”