2016 Season Previews -- Tennis, Water Polo
1/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | General
Jan. 4, 2016
On periodic Wednesdays throughout the season, MGoBlue.com will release season previews for upcoming sport seasons. The men's and women's tennis programs and water polo team are featured in this entry.
MEN'S TENNIS
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• Social Media: Twitter (@umichtennis) | Facebook
2016 OUTLOOK
The Wolverines welcome four newcomers -- three freshmen and a junior -- to this year's team, which brings back Nos. 3-6 in singles from a year ago. The Maize and Blue strung together an impressive fall season, compiling a 41-22 singles mark and an 11-9 doubles record with eight different combinations. Junior/sophomore Davis Crocker highlighted the fall results, winning the Big Ten Singles Championship in Iowa City. Michigan is looking to build on the end to last season as U-M won four of its final seven matches. Head coach Adam Steinberg, who emphasizes "team" in everything the Wolverines do, enters his second year at the helm.
Left: Carter Lin // Middle: Davis Crocker // Right: Runhao Hua
KEY COMPETITION
Friday, Feb. 19 -- vs. Michigan State (Varsity Tennis Center)
Michigan will host Michigan State at the VTC in its Big Ten opener. The Wolverines have won 12 in a row against the Spartans after taking a 4-3 decision last season in East Lansing.
• Full Preview (detailed season preview, quotes, student-athletes to watch and more)
WOMEN'S TENNIS
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• Social Media: Twitter (@umichtennis) | Facebook
2015-16 OUTLOOK
Michigan, which won its sixth straight Big Ten championship and its first Big Ten Tournament title since 1997 last season, must replace three-time All-American Emina Bektas and Sarah Lee, who rank No. 1 and No. 2 respectively all-time in singles wins at U-M. Senior Ronit Yurovsky looks to fill Bektas' spot at the top of the lineup, with talented freshmen Brienne Minor and Kate Fahey filling in behind. Sophomore Alex Najarian is back after splitting time last season at No. 3 and No. 4, with sophomore Mira Ruder-Hook and junior Sara Remynse returning from seasons at No. 5 and No. 6. There is plenty of youth on this year's team as head coach Ronni Bernstein will use the first few matches of the season to find the right combination on the doubles court. Bernstein is in her ninth season at U-M and has won at least 20 matches in each of the last six seasons.
Left: Ronit Yurovsky // Middle: Kate Fahey // Right: Brienne Minor
KEY COMPETITION
Sunday, Jan. 31 -- vs. Ohio State (Varsity Tennis Center)
The rivals will be facing each other in non-conference action to end the month of January. U-M swept the Buckeyes last season, winning 5-2 in Columbus and grabbing a shutout win in the championship of the Big Ten Tournament.
• Full Preview (detailed season preview, quotes, student-athletes to watch and more)
WATER POLO
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• Social Media: Twitter (@umichwaterpolo) | Facebook
2015-16 OUTLOOK
Head coach Dr. Marcelo Leonardi enters his second season in charge of Michigan water polo. The team was much farther ahead in fall practice than they were last year. The team returns the bulk of its offense from last year's 19-13 squad, including senior Ali Thomason and sophomore Caroline Anderson. Thomason led the team last year with 58 goals and has 115 in her career. Anderson set a freshman record at Michigan with 56 assists last year. Add in a talented freshman class and junior transfer Danielle Johnson and this team has a very optimistic look at the 2016 season.
Left: Allison Skaggs // Middle: Caroline Anderson // Right: Ali Thomason
KEY COMPETITION
Saturday, April 9 -- vs. Princeton (Canham Natatorium)
A key CWPA conference matchup in April, the Princeton game will feature two teams figured to be in the mix for the championship as Princeton won the conference last season. It will be the last day of home matches for three U-M seniors as well.
• Full Preview (detailed season preview, quotes, student-athletes to watch and more)
