Michigan women advance in NCAA tennis; UM, MSU men ousted

Ann Arbor – The third-ranked Michigan women’s tennis team has a big postseason goal and took the first step toward reaching it with a program-record 27th victory.

Michigan (27-3) made quick work of Chicago State, 4-0, its 19th straight match win, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at the Wolverines’ Varsity Tennis Center. The Wolverines will face Notre Dame, which won a tough 4-3 match against Xavier, at the VTC at 1 p.m. Sunday.

“We don’t take anybody for granted,” Michigan coach Ronni Bernstein said. “It was what we were hoping it to be.”

The Wolverines opened with a 1-0 lead after doubles with Lily Jones and Julia Fliegner winning 6-1 on the third court, and Jaedan Brown and Kari Miller clinched it with a 6-2 victory on the top court.

They were efficient in singles, winning the first sets on all six courts, four that were 6-0. Freshman Piper Charney gave Michigan its second point, winning a 17th straight singles match, 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5 singles. Fliegner, at No. 2 singles, made it 3-0 with a 6-0, 6-0 win. Miller, playing the top court and ranked No. 5 nationally, gave Michigan the match with a 6-0, 6-0 victory, her ninth in a row.

Michigan’s previous season record of 26 victories was set in 2015, and its 19-match winning streak is the second-longest in program history — the Wolverines won 20 straight during the 2015 season.

The Wolverines were able to get off the courts quickly to rest for Sunday’s second round. Notre Dame, however, playing in the earlier match on Saturday, came back from an 0-1 deficit after doubles to take a 3-1 lead in singles. Xavier tied it, 3-3, but Julia Andreach earned her 20th win of the season with a match-clinching a 6-7 (8), 6-2, 7-5 victory.

If Michigan beats Notre Dame, it will host a Sweet 16 match next Saturday.

“These guys have really high goals, and it can be over in a blink of an eye,” Bernstein said of her team maintaining focus. “We have to go out there and compete and be ready. We’re going to have tough moments and you have to be able to come through there. They want it.”

MSU, UM men eliminated

The Michigan State men’s tennis team, coming off the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory, lost in the second round on Saturday, 4-0, to Harvard, the regional host and co-Ivy League champion. Michigan also lost in the second round, 4-2, to Ivy co-champ and host Columbia.

But players from both schools will participate in the NCAA individual tournament this month. MSU’s Ozan Baris, a sophomore and the Big Ten Player of the Year, will play in the singles event for the second straight year along with Ronald Hohmann III, making his third appearance. Baris and Max Sheldon will play doubles, as well.

For Michigan, senior Gavin Young will play in the singles tournament for the second straight year. Young and Jacob Bickersteth will play in the doubles tournament.

angelique.chengelis@detroitnews.com

@chengelis