Michigan Receives Sixth Straight NCAA Bid
5/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The No. 23-ranked University of Michigan women's tennis team received a bid to the 2007 NCAA Division I Championship field announced Tuesday (May 1) by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. It marks Michigan's sixth straight NCAA bid.
"We're excited about the NCAA Championship," said head coach Amanda Augustus. "We had a great weekend in Minnesota even though we didn't reach our ultimate goal, and I think this is a great opportunity for us. I'm really happy that we've jumped to No. 23 in national rankings. We've been a consistent fixture in the Top 25 all season, which is definitely a positive thing for the program."
The Wolverines (16-7) will head to South Bend, Ind., for the second straight year to face No. 37-ranked Colorado (16-7) in first-round action on Saturday, May 12 (Noon) at the Courtney Tennis Center. With a victory against the Buffaloes, Michigan would face the winner of No. 7-ranked Notre Dame (25-3) and Illinois-Chicago (15-7) on Sunday, May 13 (Noon).
Colorado enters the NCAA Championship having won six of seven matches, with its only loss coming at the hands of Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Conference Championship quarterfinals this past Friday (April 27). The Wolverines own a 2-0 all-time record against the Buffaloes. The two programs last met in the first round of the 2003 NCAA Championship in Palo Alto, Calif., where U-M earned a 4-0 victory (May 9).
"I know a little bit about Colorado," said Augustus. "Obviously with one of our players being from Colorado (Allie Shafner), we probably know a bit more about them. I do know that they've surprised some teams at home this year. We'll really study up on Colorado this week."
Should the Wolverines advance to the regional final, they will most likely face Notre Dame for the second time this year. The Fighting Irish handed Michigan a 6-1 road loss on Feb. 14. UND ended the Maize and Blue's season with a 4-0 win in the second round of the 2006 NCAA Championship in South Bend (May 13).
"We've followed Notre Dame and know what they've been doing," said Augustus. "Our girls are pretty fired up to show Notre Dame how much we've improved. Hopefully we'll be able to play outside both days. We've also improved a lot playing outdoors. To get to the team championship, you've got to beat a team in the Top 16. There are no easy draws. Every team is in the same position. We'll be ready to go. It's an easy trip, just a couple hours down the road, and we've played on those courts a bunch of times. It will be an exciting weekend."
The regional winner advances to the 16-team NCAA Championship field which will compete for the national title May 18-22 at the University of Georgia's Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.
NCAA Regional Championship
(Courtney Tennis Center, South Bend, Ind.)
| Saturday, May 12 | Illinois-Chicago (15-7) vs. #7 Notre Dame (25-3), 9 a.m. |
| Colorado (16-7) vs. #23 Michigan (16-7), Noon | |
| Sunday, May 13 | Winners of Saturday matches, Noon |
Contact: Marc Ressler (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
