The Irish have already managed to qualify for the ITA National Tem Indoor Championships - and they haven't yet played at home.
Notre Dame (3-0) will take on No. 18 Michigan in its home opener at 4 p.m. today at the Eck Tennis Pavilion.
Notre Dame earned its slot in next weekend's Indoor Championships in Madison, Wisc., by upsetting No. 14 Arkansas 4-1 last Sunday. The Razorbacks' sole point was won by the No. 2 singles player in the country. With this upset, Notre Dame moved up to No. 14 in the rankings.
Some of the Irish are indeed used to high rankings, as the doubles team of senior Kelcy Tefft and freshmen Kristy Frilling are currently ranked as the nation's top doubles team. The duo only appears to be getting stronger, as it won twice last weekend, including an 8-1 victory over the eighth-ranked Arkansas doubles team.
Following that performance, Frilling won the Big East women's tennis player of the week award.
Today, Notre Dame will try to avenge the upset loss Michigan handed the Irish when the two squads met last year.
"Michigan is a really good team. They are very deep," senior Katie Potts said. "They are very comparable [to the team's we'll see at the Indoor Championships]. It should be a pretty tough match."
Having leaped into the top five of the rankings with the win over Arkansas, the Irish know next weekend will be filled with stiff competition.
"We are one of the bigger underdogs to get to the tournament," Potts said. "A decisive win would be nice to head into the tournament with."
Before the team goes to Madison, though, it will look to dispatch Michigan - a Notre Dame rival in every sport.
"We are just excited to see how we match-up, not only with Michigan, but also with the teams in Madison," Potts said.
