Tuesday, May 3, 2011 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 11I Michigan loses heartbreaker By STEVEN BRAID Daily Sports Writer The stage was set for a Big Ten Tournament title for the Michigan women's tennis team. The 10th-ranked Wolverines were playing on their home courts, fresh off of their second consecu- tive Big Ten regular-season cham- pionship. They sailed through the conference slate with a perfect 10-0 record and cruised through their first two rounds of action in the Big Ten Tournament, beating both Minnesota and Ohio State by 4-0 scores. And even with cloudy skies, whirling winds and a light drizzle, a packed crowd was gathered to watch Michigan take on its rival No. 17 Northwestern in the tournament championship. But after taking a dominant 3-0 lead against the Wildcats, Michigan stumbled and collapsed as North- western clawed its way back to defeat the Wolverines 4-3 and win the Big Ten Tournament title. "It's a tough one, for sure, to swallow," Michigan coach Ronni Bernstein said. "We won a really close doubles point, won two sin- gles, (and) got up 3-0. You got four matches there and you hope you can pull one out." The inclement weather seemed to be an ominous sign for the Wol- verines. All three doubles teams got off to rocky starts and faced deficits late in their matches. Michigan also faced an early hole after freshman Sam Critser and senior Mimi Nguy- en lost a contested match 8-6. But the Wolverines' fortunes appeared to turn. Seniors Whitney Taney and Rika Tatsuno wheeled off four straight games to win their match 8-5. Senior Denise Muresan and freshman Brooke Bolender climbed back from a 6-4 deficit to tie their match at 7-7. Muresan and Bolender soon took control of their match, as their Northwestern counterparts unrav- eled. Muresan and Bolender's valiant effort paid off as they won their match 9-7, giving the Wolverines confidence and a 1-0 lead over the Wildcats. Micligan seemed primed to end Northwestern's 12-year reign as Big Ten Tournament champions after Taney and Tastuno both breezed through their singles matches, 6-0, 6-0 and 6-1, 6-3, respectively. But just as the sun started to shine, so did Northwestern's confidence. Nguyen and Critser were both ousted in straight sets. The one-set advantages that both Bolender and Muresan possessed in their match- es vanished and gave way to doubt, as both players lost in three sets. "We just, mentally and physi- cally, were not in those third sets," Bernstein said. "I think physically they were a little bit better today at the end. "They had more gas in the tank and (were) just way more positive. You've got to be strong mentally to pull out matches like that." After dominating the first set with powerful groundstrokes and consistent serves, No. 7 Muresan began to lose her composure after falling behind early in the second set to No. 13 Maria Mosolova. Following a half-hearted come- back, Muresan's emotions took over. She sprayed several unforced errors and earned herself two rack- et-throwing violations on her way to a disheartening6-2,3-6,1-6 loss. But there was still hope for the Wolverines. Bolender battled to a 2-1 lead in the third set against fel- low freshman Belinda Niu, beau- tifully finishing off points at the net. But even as Niu appeared to be fatigued, she found the strength to overpower Bolender and win the next five games for a 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory, setting off a frenzied cel- ebration by the Wildcats. "Hand it to Northwestern," Ber- nstein said. "They took the match. They were willing to be more aggressive and that's the way you're going to win the match. They did it and we didn't." Bernstein remained optimis- tic for her team, suggesting that the loss could make Michigan that much more stronger as they prepare for a deep run in the NCAA Tourna- ment. "They're disappointed," Bern- stein said. "They wanted to do this, especially on their home courts (and) in front of our crowd. "But we're going to learn from it and hopefully we'll be stronger in these situations and be able to them out. Maybe this could be a good wake-up call." Taylor carries 'M' to sweep of Wisconsin By MATT SLOVIN baseman Amanda Chidester, Daily Sports Writer followed suit, poking a single through a gap to give the Wolver- While fans were still trick- ines a 2-1 lead. With Taylor on the ling into Goodman Diamond in mound looking like her usual self, Madison for Sunday's series finale the one-run cushion would be all between the Michigan softball that Michigan would need. Wis- team and Wisconsin, Michigan consin managed just two more coach Carol hits the rest of the way, eventually Hutchins MICHIGAN 9 going down in order in the seventh was already WISCONSIN 1 inning. making "I'm definitely back to 100 changes to MICHIGAN 2 percent," Taylor said. "I'm really her lineup WISCONSIN 1 excited to come back." card. For Taylor, whether she is start- Sophomore Stephanie Speier- ing or coming out of the bullpen, man, tapped by Hutchins as the the approach is similar. starter, used up her very short "I've always felt comfortable leash early, retiring just one batter going into games (in relief)," Tay- and allowing two to reach before lor said. " It's not too much of a being replaced. different mindset - just always It was a move that would prove attacking the batter and going to be fruitful for the Wolverines, after them." as senior hurler Jordan Taylor - Abusy week awaits Michigan as fresh off an injury - prevented it returns home to Alumni Field. any further Badger offense after On Tuesday, Eastern Michigan the first-inning run charged to provides a respite from the rigors Speierman. After routing Wiscon- of conference play for the Wol- sin on Saturday, 9-1; Taylor and verines before the Big Ten slate No. 2 Michigan (12-2 Big Ten, 44-4 resumes Wednesday with a double overall) escaped with a 2-1 vic- header against Ohio State. tory in the series finale. Saturday's Despite the Eagles being win- win marked Hutchins' 1,200th at less against Big Ten opponents this Michigan and allowed the Wol- season, Hutchins doesn't expect verines to remain in hot pursuit of anything less than her team's best. Big Ten leader Indiana, who swept "(Eastern) is a chance to com- Iowa to maintain its narrow first- pete and wear the Michigan jer- place margin. In the series opener, sey," Hutchins said. "I hope they'll Michigan cruised to a victory, uti- be psyched about it." lizing a seven-run fourth inning to And though the Buckeyes defeat Wisconsin (6-10, 26-21). bring up the rear in the Big Ten After the rocky first inning, both standings, no opponent is to be pitchers began rolling through the overlooked this late in the season opposing lineup and the game by Michigan. Just seven games seemed like a pitchers' dual, with remain on the schedule, and any the Badgers leading 1-0 heading losses from here on out will be into the fifth. But that's when the judged particularly harsh by the Wolverine offense finally man- NCAA selection committee before aged to get to Wisconsin starter it unveils the regional matchups Cassandra Darrah. Consecutive on May 15. singles from freshman right field- "The bottom line is it doesn't er Lyndsay Doyle, who went 3-for- matter where anybody is ranked," 3 on the day, and junior center Hutchins said. "Ohio State's a fielder Bree Evans put Michigan very dangerous team. They are in prime position to tie the game. very athletic. They have a lot of And streaking senior Alycia Ryan really fine players. They're in our did just that, ripping a base hit up way." the middle, scoring Doyle. Despite the Wolverines' sure "(Doyle's) done a nice job inclusion in the field of 64, the all year in the nine position," luxury of hosting tournament Hutchins said. "She helps us turn games in Ann Arbor and earning the lineup over. She's a great ath- a top seed is one that is yet to be lete, and she's dore a nice job for secured. But with Taylor back, it us." appears Michigan maybe ready to The next batter, junior third battle for the conference crown. Senior Whitney Taney played with fellow senior teammate Rika Tatsuno in the final rounds of the Big Ten Tournament.