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Orlando, FL – After three days of battle at the USTA National Campus, the University of Michigan has been crowned National Champions for the first time in program history after beating the University of Alabama in Sundays ITA National Wheelchair Tennis Championship final.
Entering the tournament as the top seeded team in pool play, Michigan stood out this past fall beating both Alabama and Arizona in dual matches to end the fall season as the top ranked team in the country.
After not dropping a single point across pool play and the semifinals against Auburn, Michigan faced their toughest test of the tournament in the finals against Alabama who are the reigning ITA National Wheelchair Tennis Champions and who have the two-time defending ITA National Wheelchair Tennis Singles Champion in Francesco Felici.
With the Tide having a two-time national champion at the No. 1 singles position, there was an increased pressure on the lone doubles point on Sunday with the winner of that having an immediate advantage heading into singles play.
Out of the gate, it was Alabama who claimed the first break in the match, running out ahead in the eight game pro set. However, Michigan was not content with letting the doubles point slip away and dug deep to get the break back later in the set and back on serve with the Wolverines leading 7-6 with Felici on serve.
Recognizing the opportunity, Michigan played some of their best tennis in this decisive game and drew the score to a deuce point deciding point for the match. After a double fault from Felici, it was Michigan who took the advantage heading into singles play, meaning they now just needed one win from either the No. 1 singles or No. 2 singles positions to claim the title.
It was Felici on court No. 1 who drew the match level at 1-1 after a 6-1, 6-2 win over Jacob Wald. However, this tie was not level for long as Caiden Baxter (Michigan) defeated Martha Harris (Alabama) 6-0, 6-1 on court no. 2 to secure the championship for Michigan.
In addition to taking home the title, Chris Kelley who led the Wolverines as the head coach was named the ITA National Coach of the Year. Kelley has been supporting wheelchair tennis athletes at Michigan for a number of years and serves on the ITA Wheelchair Tennis committee.
Continue reading below to see the complete pathway to the title for the Michigan Wolverines.
Pathway To The Title
Pool Play
defeated University of Cincinnati 3-0
defeated University of Houston 3-0
Semifinals
defeated Auburn University 2-0
Finals
defeated University of Alabama 2-1