Last weekend at Vanderbilt, the Michigan women's tennis team climbed the remaining - and the hardest - steps necessary for their first-ever regional title.
The last step was particularly tough. Michigan went down to the wire two days in a row before disposing of Miami, 5-3, on Saturday, and South Alabama, 5-4, on Sunday.
"We expected a tough match," Michigan coach Bitsy Ritt said. "South Alabama was playing very well throughout the tournament."
No. 4 South Alabama gave No. 2 Michigan a surprising run for the title, swiping half of the singles matches before bowing to the Wolverines in No. 1 and 2 doubles - securing the final doubles point and the regional title.
Michigan had its back to the wall and season on the line numerous times Sunday, before pulling away.
With Michigan down 3-2, Sora Moon escaped a 1-4, third-set deficit in No. 2 singles, beating her opponent, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (3). Her victory tied the match at three.
"I thought we fought really hard," Ritt said. "But Moon's victory was a breakthrough. We needed that momentum going into doubles."
Michigan's first regional title and first NCAA championship berth, however, weren't on ice quite yet.
Moon and Sarah Cyganiak pulled out a tight, 9-7 victory at No. 1 doubles, but Erryn Weggenman and Jennifer Boylan kept the pressure on the Wolverines, losing, 8-5, at No. 3 doubles.
The championship fell into the hands of freshmen Brooke Hart and Danielle Lund at No. 2 doubles. The tandem trailed 7-8 before forcing a tie-breaker and eventually emerging with a 9-8 (5) victory.
"Danielle had been struggling in doubles," Ritt said. "But down, 7-8, she held her serve and that made the difference."
Sunday's nailbiter was the second in as many days. Michigan fared the same in singles each day, splitting the six matches before securing a victory in the doubles point.
Despite the last couple of agonizing steps, the Wolverines finally reached the top - only to find another stairwell awaiting them later in the week. Michigan begins play in its first-ever NCAA championship tomorrow in Palo Alto, Calif., against Florida.