Teams from around the Big Ten are returning top talent, and each is looking for a conference championship title.
The Hawkeyes start their season on Sept. 15 in Williamsburg, Virginia, for the William and Mary Invitational. The Daily Iowan breaks down the top teams in the conference and how they might fare in the competitive world of women’s tennis.
Michigan
The Wolverines return the 2017 NCAA Division 1 singles champion, Brienne Minor to the roster. After beating four top-10 ranked singles players as an unseeded athlete, she won the NCAA Tournament last season by beating Florida’s Belinda Woolcock (6-3, 6-3). The now-junior is joined by Kate Fahey, also a junior, who went 36-7 mostly at the No. 1 spot for Michigan. Fahey lost in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championship and earned All-America honors. Michigan split the Big Ten title last year with Ohio State and has the potential to repeat that success.
Ohio State
Ohio State’s loaded arsenal is topped off with junior Francesca Di Lorenzo, a two-time NCAA doubles champion and three-time national champion. Last season, Di Lorenzo posted an overall singles record of 37-2, tying her freshman mark. The team won a share of the conference title and posted a perfect 9-0 record in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes lost three of their top athletes to graduation but look to develop the rest of the squad. If Di Lorenzo can successfully lead her team, the city of Columbus will see wins this year.
RELATED: Big Ten commands tennis talent
Northwestern
The Wildcats posted a 9-2 record last year in the Big Ten and return the bulk of their lineup. Sophomore Rheeya Doshi led Northwestern in wins last season with 24. The Wildcat’s No. 1 player, Erin Larner, returns with another year of experience under her belt; she only posted one loss in conference play last season. Northwestern had a team singles win percentage of .737 while its dual teams posted a percentage of .571. Following a third-place finish in conference last year, Northwestern could compete for the Big Ten title.
Iowa
Head coach Sasha Schmid returns for her second year with some of her top starters from last season. Sophomore Elise van Heuvelen, who consistently played the No. 1 spot, and senior Zoe Douglas both return as Iowa’s top two players. Iowa’s No. 3 player, Anastasia Reimchen, who led Iowa in wins last season, also returns. The Hawkeyes posted a 5-7 record in the Big Ten last year and return the majority of the lineup. Iowa still needs to round out its roster, but the team has the ability to compete with most of the Big Ten.
The Rest
