Men netters finish fourth, women second at Big Tens

It's tough to top an undefeated season. Last year, the Michigan women's tennis team did not lose a Big Ten match.

A week before this year's Big Ten Tournament, Michigan fell to Wisconsin, 7-0, and dropped four singles matches to Northwestern in a 4-3 loss. Michigan's Big Ten Tournament prospects did not look good. Looks can be deceiving, though. With an NCAA Regional bid hanging in the balance, the Wolverines stepped up and finished second at the Big Ten tournament last weekend.

Seeded fourth in the tournament, the Wolverines faced Minnesota in the first round and captured a 4-3 win.

Next the Wolverines pulled a huge upset, shocking host Wisconsin 4-3.

"The match against Wisconsin was the best match we've played all season," coach Bitsy Ritt said.

In a rematch of last year's final, the Wolverines faced sixth-seeded Indiana. This time Michigan was on the losing end, as the Hoosiers got the doubles point and three singles matches to win.

05-05-98