May 9, 2003
STANFORD, Calif. - The University of Michigan defeated the University of Colorado 4-0 in the first round of the NCAA Women's Tennis Team Championship on Friday morning at the Taube Tennis Center.
The Wolverines (14-9), who are making their fifth-ever appearance in the NCAA Championship will next meet the winner of Friday afternoon's match between Stanford and Louisiana-Monroe. The NCAA second round match will take place on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Taube Tennis Center.
Colorado finished its season at 14-9, which is the school's highest win total since the 1998-99 campaign (20-7).
The Wolverines started the dual with a strong performance in doubles. Michigan grabbed the upper hand with an 8-2 win at No. 1 by Michelle DaCosta (Huber Heights, OH) and Leanne Rutherford (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), and then clinched the point with an 8-4 victory at No. 2 by Christine Nolan (Glenview, IL) and Debra Streifler (Highland Park. IL).
Michigan continued its momentum by posting convincing victories at Nos. 2 and 3 singles to stretch its lead to 3-0. Nolan was a 6-2, 6-3 winner at No. 2, while Rutherford posted a 6-3, 6-1 triumph at No. 3.
The Wolverines then secured their first NCAA Tournament win since 1997 thanks to Kimberly Plaushines (Oconomowoc, WI). The junior won a first set tiebreaker 7-5 at No. 5 against the Buffaloes' Jessica Vanderdys (Centreville, VA), and then broke a 3-3 tie in the second set by winning the final three games of the match.
#42 Michigan 4, #37 Colorado 0
Doubles (Michigan wins point)
No. 1 - Michelle DaCosta/Leanne Rutherford (M) d. Lia Dimingo/Dominique Lemperle, 8-2
No. 2 - Christine Nolan/Debra Streifler (M) d. Morgan Sall/Kendra Strandemo, 8-4
No. 3 - Joanne Musgrove/Kimberly Plaushines (M) v. Sarah Burrows/Jessica Vanderdys (C), suspended (7-7)
Order of Finish: 1, 2
Singles
No. 1 - #106 Michelle DaCosta (M) v. Dominique Lemperle (C), suspended (Michigan led 7-6 (5),1-4)
No. 2 - Christine Nolan (M) d. Katherine Anne Lutgert, 6-2, 6-3
No. 3 - Leanne Rutherford (M) d. Lia Dimingo, 6-3, 6-1
No. 4 - Kavitha Tipirneni (M) v. Kendra Strandemo (C), suspended (Colorado led 6-3, 5-4)
No. 5 - Kimberly Plaushines (M) d. Jessica Vanderdys, 7-6 (5), 6-3*
No. 6 - Debra Streifler (M) v. Morgan Sall (C), suspended (match was tied: 6-3 UM, 2-6 CU, 1-1)
Order of Finish: 2, 3, 5
* - Clinching victory.
Records - #42 Michigan 14-9, #37 Colorado 14-9.