Looking for aces

Young netters looking to slam into season

By Seth Klempner

Daily Sports Writer

While the Australian Open is kicking off the Grand Slam tennis season, the Michigan women's tennis team is getting into the swing of things - starting with a match against Bowling Green.

The Wolverines have been dormant since ending the fall season with a successful showing at the International Tennis Association Midwestern Regional Championships - which they hosted on Nov. 2-7.

Michigan had three players in the tournament's 64-player main draw. Two Wolverines - freshmen Kavitha Tipernini and Chrissy Nolan - advanced to the round of 16.

It will be crucial for the younger players to continue their impressive play as Michigan deals with the losses of Danielle Lund and Brooke Hart.

Lund and Hart played in the top two singles spots last year and consistently faced the opponents' best players.

Michigan coach Bitsy Ritt expects Tipernini and Nolan, ranked No. 48 and No. 58 by the ITA, respectively, to step in for Lund and Hart.

Ritt also expects the upperclassmen to fill thevacated leadership roles.

"They have experienced it, they know what it's like to go through the season and play week after week," Ritt said. "They can help us be ready, emotionally and psychologically, for every match and provide enthusiasm and energy."

Energy and enthusiasm are trademarks of Ritt's coaching. Her positive energy has led to 16 successful seasons at Michigan and helped her capture her 200th career victory last season.

"We will know where we stand and what we have to work on much better once the season gets started and we can see how we do against competition," Ritt said.

Alyssa Wood/Daily

Senior Szandra Fuzesi is expected to fill a leadership role this season.