Eric Boggs
In a thrilling display of perseverance and grit, the Ohio State women’s tennis team captured the Big Ten Tournament championship on Saturday night with a dramatic 4-3 victory over archrival Michigan. The win not only brought home a conference title, but also made it all the sweeter by coming at the expense of the top-seeded Wolverines.
The match lived up to its billing, with the outcome hinging on the final singles contest. Freshman Nao Nishino delivered under pressure, defeating Michigan’s Emily Sartz-Lunde in three sets to clinch the victory. Her performance capped off a comeback effort for the second-seeded Buckeyes after dropping the doubles point to start the match.
Ohio State’s strength in singles carried the day, with Sydni Ratliff, Teah Chavez, and Luciana Perry all notching key victories. Their tenacity turned the tide and set the stage for Nishino’s heroic finish, securing the program’s first Big Ten Tournament title since 2021 and ending Michigan’s three-year run at the top.
While the women brought home the title, the men’s team narrowly missed out on completing the weekend sweep. In a hard-fought final against UCLA, the Buckeyes fell 4-3 in the Big Ten men’s tournament championship on Sunday at the Auer Tennis Complex in Columbus.
Nonetheless, the women’s triumph underscores the strength and resilience of Buckeye tennis. Taking down the Wolverines in a championship setting is a moment every Ohio State fan will savor.
