Michigan Wins First Wheelchair Tennis National Title

The University of Michigan wheelchair tennis team just wrote a new chapter in sports history, claiming the program's first national championship with a decisive victory over defending champion Alabama.

The top-seeded Wolverines dominated their run through the tournament in Orlando, sweeping pool play without dropping a single point. They defeated Cincinnati and Houston before shutting out Auburn 2-0 in the semifinals at the USTA National Campus.

The championship match against Alabama came down to a nail-biting doubles point. After falling behind early in the eight-game pro set, Michigan rallied to take a 7-6 lead when Alabama's Francesco Felici double-faulted on a deciding deuce point.

Felici, the two-time defending national singles champion, evened the team score at 1-1 with a dominant win over Michigan's Jacob Wald. But Wolverine Caiden Baxter sealed the championship with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory over Martha Harris on court two.

The Ripple Effect

Michigan's victory represents more than one team's success. The program's growth shows how wheelchair tennis is finding its place in collegiate sports, creating opportunities for student athletes who might not have had them before.

Head coach Chris Kelley earned ITA National Coach of the Year honors for his work building the program. Kelley has championed wheelchair tennis at Michigan for years and serves on the ITA Wheelchair Tennis committee, helping shape the sport's future nationwide.

Michigan entered the tournament ranked number one in the country after defeating both Alabama and Arizona during the fall season. That dominant regular season performance set the stage for their historic championship run.

The Wolverines never wavered under pressure, proving they belonged at the top.