Wolverines Win Second Straight B1G Tourney Title

Wolverines Win Second Straight B1G Tourney Title

Site: West Lafayette, Ind. (Schwartz Tennis Center)
Event: Big Ten Tournament (Final)
Score: #5 Michigan 4, #10 Ohio State 2
Records: U-M (22-3), OSU (20-6)
Next U-M Event: Monday, May 1 — NCAA Selection Show, 6 p.m.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The No. 5-ranked University of Michigan women’s tennis team won its second consecutive Big Ten Tournament title, knocking off No. 10-ranked Ohio State, 4-2, on Sunday (April 30) at the Schwartz Tennis Center. It was Michigan’s third win over the Buckeyes this season.

With Michigan needing just one more point to clinch the tournament, Julia Fliegner came through with a three-set win at No. 3. She broke to start her third set, taking a 2-0 lead before Isabelle Boulais won two straight games to tie it at 2-2. It was all Fliegner from there as she broke Boulais yet again and then fought off two break points on her serve for a 4-2 lead. She kept it rolling from there, winning a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

Michigan grabbed the early 1-0 lead after rallying for the doubles point behind wins at No. 3 and No. 2. Ohio State grabbed a 6-2 win at No. 1, with Michigan in control at No. 3 and Ohio State rolling at No. 2.

Kari Miller and Merri Kelly completed a 3-0 weekend at the Big Ten Tournament, turning in a 6-3 win at No. 3. U-M got the break it needed at 3-1, consolidating in the next game on Kelly’s serve for a 4-1 lead. It was all Maize and Blue from there, with Michigan taking the win to even the doubles ledger.

Ohio State held a 5-2 lead and a pair of breaks at No. 2, heading back to the line to serve out the match. U-M’s pair of Fliegner and Lily Jones answered with a break and held on its next serve to get one break back. Ohio State again went back to serve out the match, grabbing two match points in the game. U-M fought off both, tying the match at 5-5. Jones held in the next game as her serve clipped the net and fell over on game point as U-M grabbed a 6-5 lead. The Wolverines grabbed three match points in the next game, making good on the second to complete the rally for the match’s first point.

Michigan won five first sets in singles action, but Ohio State came back to force third sets at three spots as the match tightened up.

OSU pulled even at…