Just one day after its epic upset victory over No. 1 UNC-Chapel Hill in the quarterfinal round of the ITA Indoor Championships, No. 7 NC State women’s tennis ran out of magic against No. 5 Michigan in the semifinals, suffering a 4-1 loss to the Wolverines. 

The Wolfpack, who is already scheduled to play Michigan in the next match of its nonconference schedule, squared off against the Wolverines in the semifinals of the ITA Championships. The Pack’s win over the top-ranked Tar Heels didn’t faze Michigan — the Wolverines won the early doubles point and three out of the first four singles matches to end the Pack’s run in the ITAs in Seattle. 

Early on, NC State lost its second straight doubles point after losing it to Carolina the day before. But unlike its win over the Heels, the red-and-white failed to bounce back in singles after dropping the doubles point. In fact, Michigan dug NC State into a 3-0 hole after winning two straight-sets singles matches after the Wolverines captured the doubles point. 

To do so, the maize-and-blue won the first and final doubles match. Freshman Gabriella Broadfoot and senior Abigail Rencheli fell on court three 6-2, but No. 9 senior Amelia Rajecki and freshman Maddy Zampardo countered with a 6-3 win on court three. 

However, Michigan took the last doubles match in a ranked bout on court one between the Pack’s No. 6 senior Sophie Abrams and sophomore Anna Zyryava and No. 5 Jaedan Brown and Kari Miller. Abrams and Zyryanova ultimately fell 6-4, resulting in another rare doubles point loss for the Wolfpack. 

To open singles play, Michigan’s No. 18 Julia Flirgner downed No. 40 Rencheli in two sets on court two. The Wolverines kept the pressure on, knocking off senior Gina Dittmann 6-2, 6-2 on court six. NC State was quickly reeling from its 3-0 deficit but did its best to fight back. 

That fight started with No. 10 Rajecki’s impressive win over No. 9 Miller on court one. The Wolfpack’s star won 7-5, 6-4 in a close two sets, adding yet another ranked win to her resume. 

From there, NC State’s window for a reverse sweep became more clear, especially with the final three singles matches going to three sets. No. 33 Abrams was battling against Michigan’s No. 124 Gala Mesochoritou in a deciding third set tiebreak and No. 39 Zyryanova had started her third set when Michigan finalized the win. 

The Wolverines’ No. 57 Lily Jones toppled Zampardo 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on court five to end the Wolfpack’s chances. Jones’ win stopped Abrams and Zyryanova in their tracks and solidified Michigan’s 4-1 win.

While one of NC State’s most successful runs in the ITA’s was cut short, the Wolfpack is still set to make another jump in the rankings after beating UNC and putting up a fight against the Wolverines. 

After a 10-day break, the Wolfpack will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan for a rematch with the Wolverines on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m.