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Women's tennis will get its first real test in Virginia

After two relatively easy matches against Penn State and Western Michigan, the Michigan women's tennis team hits its first real test of the season this weekend in Williamsburg, Va.

The 7-0 sweeps previously attained by the Wolverines won't be as easy to come by as they face Maryland and William and Mary.

The Terrapins, whom Michigan plays Saturday at noon, are somewhat of a mystery to the team. The Wolverines haven't faced Maryland in coach Bitsy Ritt's entire 12-year tenure.

What Ritt does know about the Terrapins, though, is their lack of experience, with three of the top four starters being freshmen.

"It is a program that is relatively inexperienced," Ritt said, "but they have improved a lot from last year."

Maryland has had trouble in the past with recruiting due to lack of scholarships, but with the influx of more scholarships into the program in recent years, all that has changed.

"Recruiting has really improved for them," Ritt said. "(The Terrapins) are much more talented than in the past."

Playing No. 1 singles for Maryland is freshman Thea Ivanisevic, the cousin of highly ranked professional men's singles player, Goran Ivanisevic. Senior Bresha Byrd returns for the Terrapins, playing No. 2 singles, while freshman Meg Griffin will play No. 3 singles. Freshman Adrian Pavelko rounds out the freshmen for Maryland, playing No. 4 singles.

The real challenge for Michigan comes Sunday at 11 a.m. when it faces William and Mary, the 13th-ranked team in the nation. The Wolverines, currently ranked 33rd in the nation, lost 5-1 to William and Mary in last year's meeting.

Michigan hopes to give a better effort this year. Last year's contest was won by William and Mary after singles play, since the match was already decided.

"They're a tough team, with quite a few top-notch players," junior Sarah Cyganiak said. "It's definitely a match in which we have nothing to lose and everything to gain."

Sophomore Lauren Nicholas, William and Mary's No. 2 singles player from a year ago, returns to play No. 1 singles. Currently ranked 20th in the nation, Nicholas is her team's strongest asset.

Going into the weekend, the Wolverines may have to shuffle their lineup a bit due to the injury of freshman Jennifer Boylan. Boylan has a swollen knee, which caused her to miss the Western Michigan dual match on Tuesday. As of yesterday, her status was still up in the air.

"I'm going to an arthroscopic surgeon (today) to find out what's wrong," Boylan said. "We'll see what happens from there."

If Boylan can't make the trip, Ritt is prepared to bump senior Angie Popek into the No. 5 single slot, while sophomore Sibyl Smith plays No. 6 singles. Smith, who primarily played doubles for Michigan last year, has Ritt's approval going into the weekend.

"Sibyl gained a lot of experience this fall," Ritt said. "She's ready to play."

With two wins under its belt, the entire team heads into Williamsburg prepared to play, Ritt said.

"We've been playing each other over and over again," Ritt said. "We've practiced enough, so now we need to see some strong competition."