There was some doubt in the air after the Michigan women’s tennis team dropped the doubles point.
However, after four consecutive wins in singles to follow up, all doubt was cleared.
No matter the result of the final two matches, the Wolverines would win — and they did, 4-3.
Against Illinois, seniors Brienne Minor and Kate Fahey set the tone, opening the meet with a 6-1 win. The team ultimately dropped the doubles point, but in the end, it did not matter.
“We are really balanced down the lineup and it is very exciting to see what this group can do,” Michigan coach Ronni Bernstein said. “I am proud of our effort for winning the four singles points after not having that doubles point. The team works hard and believes in each other. The biggest thing is to show toughness and be willing to compete and be uncomfortable at times and fight for that.”
Minor won six of the last seven games, allowing her to leave the court after winning just two sets.
“My main goal was to be positive,” Minor said. “I think that really helped me. I really focused on getting a good start. I got on the ground and was feeling pretty good. My positivity and energy carried me through.”
As a pair, Brienne Minor and Kate Fahey are unbeatable. After four years on the team together, the No. 33-nationally-ranked duo has definitely found its footing.
“They know each other well, trust each other well,” Bernstein said. “They have done a great job and won every match. They give us a lot of confidence on the team having them together right now.”
After being a doubles pair in the fall, both Minor and Fahey were paired with other players to try out a different lineup. However, they were put back together at the beginning of Big Ten season. Ever since then, the two have been a powerhouse.
“It was like nothing had changed,” Minor said. “We knew how we played together. We just know our games really well. We played together a little freshman year, sophomore, and junior year, so we just trust each other.”
Minor attributes the team mentality to her success on the court.
“I go out to the court and focus on the team and not myself,” Minor said. “It helps me get through my individual match because I am focused on getting that win for the team.”