Michigan to Host ITA Kick-Off Event in 2011
6/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
June 2, 2010
SKILLMAN, N.J. -- After completing the most successful season in program history in 2009-10 and earning a year-end No. 8 ranking, the University of Michigan women's tennis team has been tabbed to host an ITA Kick-Off Event, Jan. 29-30, 2011, at the Varsity Tennis Center, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced on Wednesday (June 2).
Joining No. 1 U-M at the VTC will be No. 2 Southern California, No. 3 North Carolina State and No. 4 Auburn. The No. 1 team at each site will face the No. 4 team, with the No. 2 team squaring off against the No. 3 team. Two matches are guaranteed, as the winners and losers of both matches will play the following day. The 15 schools that win both of their matches at these events will be invited to play in the ITA National Team Indoor Championship, Feb. 18-21, at the Boar's Head Sports Club at the University of Virginia.
"We are very excited to be hosting this event," head coach Ronni Bernstein said. "It is a great opportunity to get some quality opponents to Ann Arbor. All three teams had solid seasons, and we look forward to the challenge to kick off the new season. We had great fan support this past season, so we want to take advantage of every opportunity we have to play at home."
Southern California, the No. 2 seed, ended the year with a 14-10 overall record and a No. 20 ranking. The Trojans made their 19th consecutive NCAA Championships appearance, falling to California in the second round. Southern Cal's opening opponent, North Carolina State, finished with a 12-10 record and No. 47 overall ranking. Michigan will open with Auburn, owner of a 9-11 record in 2010 and No. 58 year-end listing.
U-M advanced to the 2010 ITA National Team Indoor Championship for the first time in program history, going 2-1 with victories over No. 6 Miami and No. 14 Clemson. To reach the national tournament, U-M defeated No. 18 South Carolina and No. 16 Arkansas during the ITA Kick-Off Event.
The Wolverines set numerous records this past season, including wins (24) and winning percentage (.828) while earning the highest year-end ranking ever (No. 8). U-M loses senior Tania Mahtani (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif./Palos Verdes Peninsula) to graduation and returns seven letterwinners along with welcoming two freshmen for the 2010-11 campaign.
2011 ITA Kick-Off Event Schedule
Saturday, Jan. 29 -- No. 2 seed Southern California vs. No. 3 seed North Carolina State, 10 a.m.
Saturday, Jan. 29 -- No. 1 seed MICHIGAN vs. No. 4 seed Auburn, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 30 -- Consolation Match, 10 a.m.
Sunday, Jan. 30 -- Championship Match, 2 p.m.
Contact: Sarah VanMetre (734) 763-4423
