After a week of practicing since their first seasonal loss against North Carolina, the Irish are ready to bounce back and defeat Kansas and Michigan on this weekend's coming road trip.
"We want to come out strong, forget about the loss, and positively move forward to the rest of the season," sophomore Kristy Frilling said.
Last weekend, the Irish lost to No. 17 North Carolina, 5-2, losing out on their chance to play at the National Indoor Team Championships in mid-February.
A crucial point for this weekend will be points earned in doubles play. After losing this point against the Tar Heels, the Irish were left without the momentum needed to carry out the win.
"We lost the doubles point against UNC, and while it is only one point it is still very important," Frilling said. "I think it's crucial that we win the doubles point in every match because it gives everyone confidence for singles."
All three of the doubles teams are new this season, and due to debilitating injuries in the fall portion of this academic year, this is only the third weekend the pairs have to play together.
"Although our doubles teams are new this year, I think we still have the upper hand on these teams in regards to the doubles," Frilling said. "I think we're all hoping to use that to our advantage and win the doubles point in both matches this weekend."
Saturday, the women will travel to Lawrence, Kan. to compete against the Jayhawks in order to improve on their 3-1 record.
"Kansas has a veteran line up but they have only played on match so we don't know much about them," Irish coach Jay Louderback said. "I don't think Kansas has as much depth as we have in our lineup."
The challenge and competition that this weekend promises will continue on to Sunday as the Irish will travel to Ann Arbor, Mich. in hopes of securing a win over the No. 19 Wolverines.
"Michigan doesn't really have a weakness," Louderback said. "They are very good at the top of their line up and they have good depth. Michigan on the road will tell us how well we compete against top 20 teams away from home."
Last weekend, the Wolverines won their ITA Kickoff Weekend tournament and will be advancing to the National Indoor Team Championships for the first time in program history.
"We play Michigan every year and it is always a battle," Frilling said. "Michigan has great players at every spot in the lineup so we are all going to have to be prepared for tough matches all around."
The Irish will play Kansas at 4 p.m. Saturday and Michigan at 11 a.m. Sunday.
