Women's tennis gets second invitation to NCAA Tournament

Women head to tournament for the second time in Buff history

For the first time since they were upset in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championships Friday, the CU women’s tennis players received some good news.

That news came in the form of an invitation to the NCAA Women’s Tennis Tournament. It will be the second appearance for the Buffs in the program’s history.

The Buffs enter the tournament with the No. 37 ranking in the country and travel to South Bend, Ind., to face off against 23rd-ranked Michigan from the Big Ten Conference. The Buffs’ only other appearance in the NCAA Tournament came in 2003 when Coach Nicole Kenneally and her team squared off against Michigan, losing 4-0.

“Michigan is a very good team. I look forward to going against them again. It will be a good match,” Kenneally said.

When Kenneally’s players hit the courts on May 12, they’ll be looking to start a positive run in the tourney after they were upset in the first round of the Big 12 Championships by Oklahoma State last weekend. The loss put CU’s final record for the season at 16-7. Despite her team’s early exit from the Big 12 Championships, Kenneally had a good feeling about their chances of making the NCAAs.

“I thought we were in (already), based on the success we’ve had this year with two top-15 victories,” Kenneally said, referring to wins over Baylor and William and Mary.

The Buffs have 10 days to prepare for their first-round match against the Wolverines. Kenneally said she was happy with the news but not satisfied.

“Yes, we’re in the tournament, but let’s not be satisfied with that. Let’s go win in the tournament. I think that’s the next big step for this program,” Kenneally said.

Making the day a little sweeter for the Buffs and Kenneally was the announcement of awards given out by the Big 12.

Kenneally was honored with the Big 12 Women’s Coach of the Year, and sophomore Monica Milewski was named to the All-Big 12 singles team. Both honors were the firsts for each.

Contact Campus Press staff writer Stirling Wade at [email protected]