The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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OLYMPIC SPORTS enjoy another opportunity to play and see how we stack up, but we're just taking it as normal." Michigan will be joined by Texas (No. 1 in the May 4 Golfweek national rankings), LSU (No. 6), Washington (No. 24) , Virginia (No. 26), Houston, Pepperdine (No. 36), Kennesaw State (No. 53), Troy (No. 64), East Carolina (No. 60), UT Martin, Georgetown and host Vanderbilt (No. 9) will also be in the field with Michigan (No. 51). HUGE TURNAROUND EARNS POSTSEASON BID FOR MEN'S TENNIS On the heels of its first 20‑win sea‑ son since 2008, the No. 24‑ranked U‑M men's tennis team received an at‑large bid to the NCAA Tourna‑ ment and was slated to head to Win‑ ston‑Salem, N.C., to face East Tennes‑ see State in the first round May 13. After going 7‑17 last year, head coach Adam Steinberg is pleased with his team's effort this spring. "We feel good about our season so far," Steinberg said. "There are some great highs. Going undefeated at home, going from 7‑17 to 20‑7 is a great turnaround. I know I speak on behalf of the guys when I say that it's not over, and there's a lot more to do. "It's one of those situations where we know we are a good team, and our expectations and goals are high right now. We are excited about the year and how we did, but we really want to make an impact at the NCAA Tournament." Named second‑team All‑Big Ten after winning 11 singles matches in a row from Jan. 24 to March 3 and lead‑ ing the team in singles win percent‑ age, redshirt sophomore Alex Knight is also excited about the squad's turnaround. "Last year I feel like we were good, but we just didn't deliver," Knight said. "This year, we have established a new culture at Michigan. "We had a huge turnaround with the 20‑win season, and we were in the top 25. It's fantastic. We are feel‑ ing really good about it, but we're still hungry and looking to take this program to another level." With a win over East Tennessee State, Michigan would face No. 6 seed and host Wake Forest or Coastal Carolina with a spot in the round of 16 at stake. "We are confident right now," Steinberg said. "We played a good match against Ohio State even though we lost in the Big Ten Tourna‑ ment. We got more belief in ourselves because we played very close. "Right now, the mindset has been great. The guys are so excited. Af‑ ter the draw came out and they saw Michigan's name up there, practices have been spirited. We can't wait to go play. It's been two years since Michigan has been in the NCAA Tournament, so the guys are fired up and they are ready." The formula for success, according to the head coach, is simple. "We have to be a team," Steinberg said. "We have to play together bet‑ ter than everyone else. That's when we're at our best. "The guys have to be great team‑