Weekly Release #14
5/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Fri-Sat., May 10-11 -- at NCAA Regional (Lexington, Ky.)
May 10 -- Michigan vs. #22 Georgia Tech, 10 a.m. EDT
May 10 -- Boston University vs. #17 Kentucky, 2 p.m. EDT
May 11 -- U-M/GT winner vs. BU/UK winner, 4 p.m. EDT
Thu-Sun., May 16-19 -- at NCAA Championship (Palo Alto, Calif.)
Women's Tennis Returns to NCAA Championship
The University of Michigan women's tennis team (14-10, 5-5 Big Ten) returns to the 64-team field of the NCAA Championship for the first time since 1998. Michigan opens the 2002 championship in Lexington, Ky., with a first-round match against No. 22 Georgia Tech on Friday (May 10, 10 a.m. EDT) at Kentucky's Hillary J. Boone Tennis Complex. With a victory against the Yellow Jackets, the Wolverines would face the winner of Boston University and No. 17-ranked Kentucky on Saturday (May 11, 4 p.m. EDT) for a trip to the 16-taem NCAA Championship field to be played at Stanford's Taube Family Tennis Center.
Michigan vs. Georgia Tech
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Wolverines have compiled a 6-16 all-time record against schools from the Atlantic Coast Conference, including a loss to Wake Forest earlier this year. Georgia Tech has a 14-9 record this season and is under the direction of head coach Bryan Shelton, the 2002 ACC Coach of the Year.
Wolverines and Wildcats
With a victory in the first round, Michigan could face a familiar opponent in host Kentucky. The Wolverines and Wildcats have met on the hardcourt eight previous times, including the past four seasons. Kentucky holds a 6-2 advantage in the all-time series and won a 5-2 match earlier this season at the Varsity Tennis Center (Feb. 16). Michigan won the first two meetings between the two schools but Kentucky has claimed victories in the past six matches. U-M has a 0-4 record against Kentucky in Lexington.
Michigan vs. Boston University
With victories by both schools in the first round, Michigan and Boston University would be meeting for the first time. The Terriers have a 10-7 record this season and are coached by Lesley Sheehan, who guided the program to the 2002 America East Championship. This will be Boston University's fourth straight NCAA Championship appearance.
Michigan at the NCAA Championship
The Wolverines are making their fourth overall appearance at the NCAA Championship after making three consecutive trips from 1996 through 1998. Michigan split two matches at the 1996 tournament, beating Indiana (5-4) before losing to Northwestern (5-0) in the regional semifinal. The Wolverines returned to the championship after winning the 1997 Big Ten title and advanced to the 16-team field by winning three matches at the Southeast Regional -- 5-0 vs. Central Florida, 5-3 against Miami (Fla.) and 5-4 vs. South Alabama. U-M lost 5-0 to NCAA runner-up Florida in the round of 16. Michigan suffered a first-round loss in its last national tournament appearance, losing 5-2 against Wisconsin at the 1998 Midwest Regional.
Wolverines Reach Big Ten Semifinals
The women's netters nearly reached the conference championship match after finishing the regular season with a 5-5 Big Ten mark. The sixth-seeded Wolverines beat No. 11 seed Minnesota in the first round by a 4-1 score and followed with a dominating 4-0 win against No. 3 seed Ohio State. U-M won the doubles point against No. 2 seed Wisconsin in the semifinals but was unable to pull through with the victory, losing a 4-3 match in which the Badgers won three three-set contests.
Michigan Ranked a Season-High 34th
The Wolverines enter the 2002 NCAA Championship ranked a season-high 34th in the Omni Hotels Collegiate Tennis Rankings administered by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association on May 1. Michigan was listed 41st in the previous rankings heading into the Big Ten Championship. The No. 34 national ranking is the highest for the Wolverines since March 10, 1998, when U-M listed No. 28 in the polls.
Michigan in ITA Rankings
Date Rank Jan. 8 -- Jan. 30 69th Feb. 13 67th Feb. 20 70th Feb. 27 70th March 6 75th March 13 75th March 20 -- March 27 58th April 3 66th April 10 43rd April 17 50th April 24 41st May 1 34th
Ritt Guides U-M into NCAA Field
For the fourth time in her career, Michigan head coach Bitsy Ritt will guide the women's tennis team into the national tournament. She has compiled a 4-3 record at the NCAA Tournament, including a 3-1 mark at 1997 championship when U-M claimed the Southeast Regional title. Ritt has a 226-202 overall record in 18 years at Michigan and has a 107-111 mark in Big Ten action.
Finishing Season Strong
The women's tennis team enters the NCAA Championship having won seven of its last nine matches and could claim its 15th victory of the season with a first-round win against Georgia Tech. The semifinal loss to Wisconsin at the Big Ten Championship ended a season-best four-match winning streak for the Wolverines. Five of Michigan's 10 losses have come against top-20 ranked teams, while eight of those setbacks have been to teams listed among the top-40 squads.
Home Cooking Aids Wolverines
Michigan completed the 2002 home slate with a school-record nine victories at the Varsity Tennis Center. The Wolverines compiled an impressive 9-4 home record this season with three of the four setbacks coming against top-20 ranked teams and the other setback coming against then No. 32-ranked Wisconsin. The previous record was six victories in a season set during the 1997 Big Ten title season (6-0 mark). U-M completed the season by winning six straight home matches and will enter 2003 two victories shy of the record streak of eight wins to open the facility (6-0 in 1996-97 and 2-0 to start the 1997-98 season). The Wolverines have a 32-24 record in the six-year-old facility, not including a 1-1 mark when hosting the 2000 Big Ten Championship.
Tipirneni Holding Down Top Singles Slot
Sophomore Kavitha Tipirneni (Galloway, Ohio/Hilliard Darby HS) leads the women's tennis program into the NCAA Championship as the top singles player in the lineup. Tipirneni, a 2001 All-Big Ten Conference selection, has compiled nine victories (9-21) and seven dual match wins (7-16) this season. She has played her best tennis of the season down the stretch, having won three of her last six contests. Tipirneni has registered a 25-36 career singles record and a 15-28 dual match mark.
DaCosta Named to All-Big Ten Team
Freshman Michelle DaCosta (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne HS) heads into the NCAA Championship after being named to the 2002 All-Big Ten Team announced April 30 by the conference office. DaCosta was the only freshman named to the all-conference squad, and she became the fourth freshman in Michigan women's tennis history to receive the honor during her initial campaign, joining Kavitha Tipirneni (2001), Sora Moon (1995) and Sarah Cyganiak (1994).
DaCosta Having Postseason Success
Michelle DaCosta enters the NCAA Championship after winning five matches at the Big Ten Championship. DaCosta compiled a 3-0 record at No. 2 singles for the Wolverines at the Big Ten tournament, beating Minnesota's Michaela Havelkova (6-1, 6-2), Ohio State's Erica Fisk (6-4, 6-2) and Wisconsin's Linde Mues (6-4, 6-3). In doubles, DaCosta and freshman Leanne Rutherford (Calgary, Alberta/National Sports School) won two doubles matches and had a third match halted after U-M clinched the doubles point. DaCosta has an 18-14 overall singles record this season and completed the Big Ten regular season with a 5-5 mark. She leads the team with 14 dual match victories and enters the national tournament having won three straight matches and seven of her last nine contests.
Nolan Seeks Second Straight 20-Win Season
Sophomore Chrissie Nolan (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South HS) heads into the NCAA Championship two singles victories shy of her second straight 20-win season. Nolan is tied for the team lead with 18 singles wins (18-11) and is tied for second with 12 dual match victories (12-9) this season. She split two matches at the Big Ten Championship, beating Minnesota's Andrea Rose (6-1, 6-0) and losing a three-set match to Wisconsin's Shana McElroy (2-6, 6-4, 6-3). Nolan has gained victories in five of her last seven matches and nine of her last 13 contests heading into the national tournament. She has compiled a 38-22 career singles record and is 22-19 in dual matches.
Duprez and Rutherford Tied for Third in Wins
Junior Jen Duprez (Westhampton, N.Y./Westhampton Beach HS) and freshman Leanne Rutherford are tied for third on the team in singles victories, one victory behind co-leaders Michelle DaCosta and Chrissie Nolan. Duprez and Rutherford enter the national tournament with 17 singles victories this season, with Duprez tallying a 17-10 overall record and Rutherford compiling a 17-15 mark.
Duprez is tied for second on the team in dual match victories this season, gaining a career-high 12 wins in 19 matches (12-7 record). She gained her lone victory of the Big Ten Championship with a 6-3, 6-2 win against Wisconsin's Katie Dougherty at No. 5 singles (her matches against Minnesota and Ohio State were abandoned once the team outcome was decided). Duprez has won eight of her last 11 matches on the year. She has a 42-32 career singles record and is 25-20 in dual match competition.
Rutherford has played primarily at No. 4 singles for the Wolverines, tallying an 8-12 record, and she has an 11-12 overall dual match mark. She split two matches at the Big Ten Championship, beating Ohio State's Michelle Matko (6-0, 6-4) before losing in three sets to Wisconsin's Katie McGaffigan [6-7(10), 6-1, 6-2]. Rutherford completed her first conference slate with a 3-7 record but was 11-11 against regional opposition.
Plaushines Eyes 15th Singles Victory
Sophomore Kim Plaushines (Oconomowoc, Wis./Kettle Moraine HS) looks to capture her 15th singles victory when the Wolverines face Georgia Tech in first-round NCAA tournament competition. Plaushines has set career highs in singles victories (14-8 record) and dual match wins (9-5 mark) this season, while compiling a 3-1 mark in Big Ten dual matches. She posted a 2-1 record at the Big Ten Championship, beating Minnesota's Brandi Watts (6-2, 6-2) and Ohio State's Claudio Castro (6-1, 6-2) while losing to Wisconsin's Lindsay Martin (6-3, 6-3). Plaushines has a 22-16 career singles record and is 11-7 in dual match competition.
Dominating Doubles
Michigan enters the NCAA Championship on the heels of some strong doubles play this season. The Wolverines have won the doubles point in 18 of 24 matches this season. U-M has lost the team point just six times this season, with four of those coming in conference play. Michigan has swept all three matches on six occasions (not including the Big Ten's where matches are stopped once the team point is gained) and has compiled a 60-35 doubles record (.632 winning percentage).
Formidable Freshman
The freshman duo of Michelle DaCosta and Leanne Rutherford has been impressive this season, leading the Wolverines with a team-high 19 doubles victories. DaCosta and Rutherford have a 19-14 record together entering the NCAA tournament and are 12-11 at the top spot in the lineup. The tandem posted a pair of victories at the Big Ten Championship, beating Ohio State's Monica Rincon and Meaghan Colville (8-5) and dominating Wisconsin's Linde Mues and Lara Vojnov (8-1). Playing exclusively together, DaCosta and Rutherford finsihed the conference slate with a 5-5 record and a 16-7 mark against regional opposition.
Duprez and Plaushines Eye 15th Win Together
Jen Duprez and Kim Plaushines face Georgia Tech looking to capture their 15th doubles match together this season. Duprez and Plaushines have formed an impressive tandem at No. 2 doubles for the Wolverines, compiling a 14-7 overall record and an 11-5 dual match mark. The duo won a team season-best seven consecutive matches during the dual match season and has claimed victories in 10 of their last 12 matches. Duprez and Plaushines have won three straight matches entering the national tournament, including an 8-2 match against Minnesota's Kelly Perry and Andrea Rose at the Big Ten tournament. Duprez has registered a career-best 16 wins (16-11) in doubles competition this season while Plaushines is tied for third on the team with a career-high 19 overall victories (19-10).
Nolan and Tipirneni Just Winning
The sensational sophomore doubles tandem of Chrissie Nolan and Kavitha Tipirneni rolls into the NCAA Championship with wins in 12 of the last 14 matches. The duo posted a 3-0 mark at the Big Ten Championship and is two victories shy of the 20-win plateau together this season. Nolan and Tipirneni completed the regular season with a team-best 8-2 conference record and are 17-4 at the No. 3 doubles slot. Nolan and Tipirneni have compiled an 18-5 overall record this season and are 28-8 over the last two years together. They lead the team in dual match wins (17), dual match winning percentage (.810) and conference victories (8). Nolan has tallied a team-best 22 overall doubles wins (22-7) and Tipirneni is second with 20 victories (20-9).
Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
