In winning two matches on the road this weekend, the No. 11 Michigan women’s tennis team made history. With stellar play, it extended its Big Ten win streak to 33, topping the previous record of 31.
“It’s great, obviously, that we’ve had such great success in the conference,” said Michigan coach Ronni Bernstein. “We’ve done well, but we’ve got a lot of work to do to definitely improve.”
The Wolverines (5-0 Big Ten, 12-4 overall) faced Wisconsin and Minnesota, winning 4-3 and 6-1, respectively.
After Michigan lost the doubles point last weekend, it changed its lineup this time around, hoping to give each doubles team the best chance at winning. The risk paid off as the Wolverines swept the doubles matches Saturday to put them up, 1-0, against Wisconsin.
Sophomores Alex Najarian and Mira Ruder-Hook completed their wins quickly, both finishing with a score of 6-3, 6-1. Rare losses came from senior Ronit Yurovsky and freshman Brienne Minor, but fortunately for Michigan, freshman Kate Fahey secured the win at No. 3 singles.
The turnaround before Sunday at Minnesota was quick, but the Wolverines welcomed the challenge.
“It’s a little more tiring, just the travel piece, but we got two wins and that feels good after the weekend,” Bernstein said.
Michigan took advantage of the warmer weather and played outside for the second time this season, something it views as good practice for down the road. Even though the Wolverines are still getting used to being outdoors, they were not fazed by the elements.
Sticking with the altered doubles lineup against Minnesota, it once again proved effective as Michigan took home all the doubles wins. The Wolverines looked to improve upon their singles, though.
“We’re going to have to figure out a way where we can kind of relax and go for it a little bit, especially with the format of no advantage (scoring) and every point (being) so big,” Bernstein said.
Fahey must have been nothing but relaxed as she jumped out to an early 3-0 lead at No. 2 singles. She has recently come back from a minor injury, but that did not stop her dominating the Golden Gophers with a score of 6-0, 6-1.
Ruder-Hook found her rhythm this weekend also, finishing just minutes after Fahey and cruising past her opponent, 6-1, 6-1.
After suffering a loss against Wisconsin, No. 14 Yurovsky put that behind her. She clinched the win at No. 1 singles with a score of 6-1, 6-4, extending the Wolverines’ conference win streak to 33.
Michigan narrowly missed a sweep over Minnesota, with its only loss at No. 6 singles by junior Sara Remynse. But the weekend still brought much to celebrate for the Wolverines, as they look to keep extending their conference win streak.