UM tennis receives program's highest ranking for women's NCAA tourney

The Michigan women’s tennis team, coming off a third-straight Big Ten Tournament title, is the No. 3 seed — the program’s highest — in the NCAA Tournament that opens this weekend and will host first— and second—round matches.

Michigan (26-3), ranked No. 2 nationally, has won 18-straight matches and will face Chicago State (16-2), the Horizon League champions, in the first round on Saturday, it was revealed during the selection show Monday night. Xavier (19-5) faces Notre Dame (17-9) in the other first-round match at the Varsity Tennis Center in Ann Arbor. The second round is Sunday. The NCAA championship is May 17-20 at Oklahoma State.

This is the 10th time since 2010 Michigan has hosted first— and second—round NCAA Tournament matches. Admission is free, and match times have not yet been announced.

The Wolverines defeated Ohio State, 4-2, last Sunday for the Big Ten tournament title. They are led by Ronni Bernstein, named the Big Ten Coach of the Year for a third-straight season, and Big Ten tennis Athlete of the Year, Kari Miller, who is 28-7 this season playing No. 1 singles. This was Michigan’s 11th Big Ten championship since 2010. The No. 2 ranking is a program best.

Michigan and Michigan State’s men’s tennis teams made the NCAA men’s tournament, which also was unveiled Monday night.

Michigan (16-12) is coming off a runner-up finish to Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament and has made eight straight NCAA Tournaments. The Wolverines will face Binghamton (16-9) in the first round Friday at Columbia University. The winner will advance to face the winner of No. 8 Columbia (20-3) and Quinnipiac (14-10) on Saturday.

Michigan State (22-6), led by Big Ten Player of the Year Ozan Baris, will face Denver (23-0) in the first round in Boston, while Boston faces No. 12 Harvard, the host and co-champs of the Ivy League. Baris, who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season is ranked ninth nationally in singles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), the highest rating of any Big Ten player.

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