The crowd was energized from the start. The seats filled with splatters of blue and red, a rival matchup was building with the volume on blast.
After the noise settled on Sunday’s hard losses, all courts contributed to the Michigan men’s tennis team’s (6-10 overall) 4-0 defeat to rival No. 1 Ohio State. Despite the thorough beating, the Wolverines focused on self-generated energy and mental toughness.
Although it may not look like it on paper, all three doubles courts held close, competitive matches. Seniors Gavin Young and Jacob Bickersteth at No. 1 doubles were the first to drop their set 6-3 to Ohio State’s Robert Cash and JJ Tracy, who are ranked fifth in the Big Ten. Following closely behind, freshman Alex Cairo and junior Will Cooksey also fell 6-3 at No. 2 doubles. With the Buckeyes clinching the first two matches and taking the doubles point, the remaining match of sophomores Mert Oral and Bjorn Swenson ended early despite Michigan leading 5-3.
With each court carrying as much momentum as they could muster from the loud environment and using all of their preparation that lead up to Sunday, players and coaches alike knew how much weight this match held.
“In this moment, you don’t have to give them too much to get them pumped up because it’s such a big rivalry in general,” Michigan coach Sean Maymi said. “They’re obviously a really good team, so it’s a good opportunity for us. I (told) them to take their chances, go after it, and believe that they can get it done.”
There were noticeable strategies across all doubles courts that proved successful in many points. When the Wolverines caught the Buckeyes on their heels, Michigan took advantage and had both players rush the net, keeping Ohio State at the baseline. This gave the Wolverines the upper hand by controlling the net, forcing long strokes or lobs from the other end, which were easily returnable with quick hands and dialed aim. These strategies, although effective, proved to not be enough on the doubles courts. Exploiting the Wolverines’ court awareness, the Buckeyes made consistent shots up the alley for easy points.
“In the end they were just a little too good in the bigger moments,” Maymi said. “We’ll learn from it, for sure.”
And then the volume turned down.
At the start of singles play, the crowd quieted to a lull as the players switched gears from the chaos to the quiet.
Swenson, one of the five Wolverines to play on both the doubles and singles courts, summarized the shift of energy and what that means from a player’s perspective.
“I do try and keep (my energy) the same because when you’re playing doubles, you have the whole crowd on one side,” Swenson said. “It’s a lot easier for them to help pump you up. So when you get to singles, it’s important to try and keep the energy high even though you might not have as many fans on your court.”
With each singles court falling to Ohio State, the clear change in noise level from both players and spectators had correlating effects on the level of play and subsequent scores. Although energy is ciphered from the atmosphere, players’ momentum boils down to their own game and mental tenacity — a point of struggle on Sunday.
The turning of the tides from the doubles to singles courts suggests Michigan’s preference for noise, solidified by its change in momentum on the respective flights. Proving that in order for the Wolverines to meet their highest potential, their internal volume must be turned all the way up.