Michigan
Penn
Wolverines to Host ITA Kickoff at the Varsity Tennis Center
1/21/2026 12:47:00 PM | Women's Tennis
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan women's tennis team (0-0) begins dual-match action this weekend (Jan. 24-25), hosting the ITA Kick-Off at the Varsity Tennis Center. Joining U-M at the two-day event with a berth to the ITA National Team Indoor Championship on the line are Penn, No. 19 Vanderbilt and Notre Dame.
ITA Kick-Off Schedule
Saturday, Jan. 24
No. 7 Michigan vs. Penn, 10 a.m.
No. 19 Vanderbilt vs. Notre Dame, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 25
Loser of match one vs. loser of match two, 10 a.m.
Winner of match one vs. winner of match two, 2 p.m.
Notes
• Michigan kicks off dual-match action this weekend, hosting the ITA Kick-Off for the third straight season. U-M most recently hosted the Michigan Invitational (Jan. 16-18) to open the calendar year, wrapping up tournament play for the season.
• The No. 1-seeded team (Michigan) at each site will face the No. 4 team (Penn). The No. 2 team (Vanderbilt) will face the No. 3 team (Notre Dame). Two matches are guaranteed, with winners and losers playing the following day. The 14 schools that win both of their matches at these events will advance to the ITA National Team Indoor Championship, hosted by Illinois and Northwestern for the second straight season.
• Michigan is seeking its 14th berth in the last 17 seasons to the ITA National Team Indoor Championship. U-M went 2-1 at the event last season, earning wins over Texas and LSU.
• The Wolverines enter the dual-match season ranked No. 7 by the ITA after making a run to their first Final Four last season. Michigan returns five regulars to its singles lineup in Piper Charney, Jessica Bernales, Reese Miller, Emily Sartz-Lunde and Lily Jones.
• Vanderbilt returns to Ann Arbor for the ITA Kick-Off for the second straight season. Notre Dame last competed at the Varsity Tennis Center during the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Michigan and Penn have never met.
• Michigan features four ranked singles players in Charney (No. 3), Jones (No. 32), Miller (No. 80) and Bernales (No. 85). Charney and Jones earned ITA All-America honors in singles during the fall by reaching the round of 16 at the NCAA Singles Championship.
• Head coach Ronni Bernstein enters her 19th season at the helm, owning a 551-197 overall coaching record and a 386-104 mark at Michigan. She has guided the Wolverines to 12 Big Ten championships and six Big Ten Tournament titles.
• Michigan went 14-0 at the Varsity Tennis Center last season and has won 28 straight home matches dating back to a 4-1 victory over No. 5 NC State on Feb. 22, 2024.
• Michigan welcomes three freshmen to the roster in Gabriella Lindgren, Laura Maser and Laura Rahnel.
• The Wolverines again face a challenging schedule, with regular-season matchups against No. 4 Auburn, No. 8 Duke, No. 11 NC State, No. 12 Ohio State (twice), No. 14 Virginia, No. 18 UCLA and No. 20 USC.
• U-M opens the season with a four-match homestand, with Virginia (Jan. 30) and Auburn (Feb. 2) visiting the Varsity Tennis Center next week.
Players Mentioned
