The normally dependable doubles teams for the Michigan
women’s tennis team came up short this weekend, and it cost
the Wolverines their first Big Ten match of the season.
Michigan dropped the doubles point in both matches over the
weekend, including Saturday’s 4-3 loss to Iowa, the first Big
Ten setback of the season. Yesterday, the Wolverines were able to
overcome the early deficit left by dropping the doubles point,
coming from behind for a 5-2 victory against Minnesota.
Both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles are ranked in the top 35
nationally, but they couldn’t put together a strong enough
performance to secure the early lead for Michigan in either match.
The duo of junior Michelle DaCosta and freshman Kara Delicata,
ranked No. 30 in the country, lost both No. 1 doubles matches this
weekend.
Freshman Lindsey Goldstein made her collegiate dual meet debut
at No. 3 doubles with junior Leanne Rutherford for Michigan’s
lone doubles win yesterday.
Junior Kavitha Tipirneni extended her team lead in dual match
victories (14) with a pair of wins this weekend at No. 3 singles.
She has also won 10 straight matches. Freshman standout Elizabeth
Exon and sophomore Deborah Streifler also swept their matches this
weekend.
Freshman Kara Delicata didn’t allow her opponent to win
even one set, as she won her No. 6 singles match yesterday against
Minnesota’s Shelby Rohrer, 6-0, 6-0.
— Brian Schick