Calling Michigan men’s tennis player Drew Daniel clutch would be an understatement.
For the third time this season, Daniel clinched the Wolverines’ fourth and final point to give his team the win. This time, his 6-4, 6-3 set pushed Michigan to a 4-3 victory over Vanderbilt on Friday.
The 14th-ranked Wolverines began play on Friday by dropping two of three doubles matches against the 28th-ranked Commodores in Nashville, Tenn.
Michigan needed to regroup quickly against Vanderbilt (1-2), who were looking to give the Wolverines their first loss of the young season.
But Vanderbilt jumped out to a quick 3-1 advantage, and the Commodores needed just one more singles win to seal the victory at the Currey Tennis Center.
“At that point, there is definitely a sense of urgency,” Michigan coach Bruce Berque said. “With some players finished and off the court, there is a big force of support to help the guys.”
Victories by sophomore Jason Jung and senior Andrew Mazlin put Michigan back in contention to pull off a remarkable come-from-behind win.
That’s when Daniel’s opportunity to come through presented itself yet again.
In the Wolverines’ two wins over California and Virginia Commonwealth, the Overland Park, Kan., native sealed the victory for Michigan.
The poised and experienced Daniel rose to the occasion again, defeating his opponent and moving into a tie for the team lead in wins with 12.
“Drew is a great competitor,” Berque said. “He has an uncanny sense of how to play and knows how to win matches.”
The Wolverines then faced No. 43 North Carolina State (4-3) on Saturday.
After clinching the doubles point, the Wolverines had high hopes of leaving Nashville with two big wins before heading to Chicago next weekend for the ITA National Team Indoor Championship.
But after falling behind 3-1 in the singles matches, the Wolverines’ hopes for another comeback were smashed, and lost 4-3 to the Wolfpack.
“It sucks right now,” Daniel said. “I have a bitter taste in my mouth, but the team competed hard all weekend.”
The usually reliable Jung and Madden suffered their first losses of the season against North Carolina State which put Michigan (5-1) at a disadvantage early in the singles competition.
Berque and the Wolverines hope to feed off of the momentum gained from their split in the South. If Michigan wants to advance deep in the tournament in the Windy City, it will need more exceptional performances like Daniel’s this past weekend.