The Michigan men's tennis team has a new luxurious facility, a veteran team and a full summer of practice behind it. Now all that is left for the Wolverines is to go out and dominate.
In their 101st season, the Wolverines will get their first chance when they compete at the North Carolina Tar Heel Invitational this weekend in Chapel Hill. Michigan, in its third visit to the tournament in as many years, will be facing some of the toughest competition in the nation.
The Wolverines will face teams that are expected to be in the top 20 - including Notre Dame, Duke, North Carolina and up-and-coming teams William & Mary and Virginia Commonwealth.
Even though the tournament has no bearing on the Wolverines' record for the 1997-98 season, it is vital, not only as preparation for the season, but as an indication of how successful the team will be.
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| MARGARET MYERS/Daily Junior William Farah and the rest of the Michigan men's tennis team face a difficult challenge this weekend in North Carolina. The Wolverines will face some of the top teams in the nation at the Tar Heel Invitational. |
"I am eager to see how well we will do," Eisner said. "Things are dramatically different than last year. I am also excited about the quality of teams at the tournament. It should give us a good idea (about the coming season)."
Eisner has many good reasons to be excited.
Not only does his team have an all-veteran lineup, with four seniors and two juniors, but it is coming back after a summer of great practice, something the Wolverines did not have last fall due to injuries. All nine members are returning, including senior Brook Blain, who comes back after missing the second half of last season due to a back injury.
The first preseason rankings were finally released Sept. 18, with Michigan at No. 51.
This leaves the Wolverines behind six teams in the Big Ten, including last year's Big Ten champion Illinois (17th) and second-place Northwestern (24th). Eisner, however, is not concerned about the low ranking.
"The (preseason) ranking has no meaning," he said. "We are concerned about playing right now."
Last season's Wolverines finished 54th in the polls, with an overall record of 9-14. This season, however, is their best chance to take the NCAA by storm.
"We have the potential to be a top-15 or top-20 team," Eisner added.
The Wolverines are also enjoying their fall preparation at the new Tisch Tennis Center.
Completed in early 1997, the state-of-the-art facility located on State Street, north of the Michigan Golf Course, has eight new courts, modern equipment and plush spectator seats.
The outdoor courts and spectator facilities should be completed by next summer.
With a top-notch structure in which to play, the Wolverines will be able to gain an extra step on their competition this season, but the effects on the seasons beyond will be much greater.
The most important impact it will have on the tennis program is recruiting. Eisner believes that the structure should help draw a fine recruiting class to replace the four departing seniors next year.
"Recruiting will be heavy this year because we have four seniors," Eisner said. "It can only help us."
Eisner, who is ninth among active coaches in all-time wins with 496, will be looking to achieve career victory No. 500 in the coming matches.
He should be able to capture it when Michigan's season begins at home against Virginia on Feb 1.
The Wolverines will then try to bring back what came to Michigan 40 long years ago - a national championship.
10-02-97
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