Minnesota Hosts Michigan, Michigan State for Inaugural ITA College Tennis Weekend

The University of Minnesota tennis team welcomes top Big Ten rivals for a showcase event aimed at elevating college tennis.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:09am

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The University of Minnesota tennis team is hosting Michigan and Michigan State this weekend as part of the inaugural Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) College Tennis Weekend. This event marks a significant step in promoting the sport at the collegiate level, with a focus on enhanced fan engagement and match-day experiences.

Why it matters

The ITA's initiative to create dedicated weekends like this one suggests a broader strategy to elevate the profile of college tennis, which has historically been overshadowed by other collegiate sports. By concentrating matches and encouraging themed events, the ITA aims to draw larger crowds and increase the visibility of the sport.

The details

The University of Minnesota is leveraging social media platforms and offering livestreaming and live scoring options to connect with fans and provide a more immersive match-day experience. This multi-channel approach is becoming standard practice across college athletics, and is expected to become even more sophisticated with the integration of augmented reality and interactive streaming features.

  • The matches will take place this weekend, March 27-29, 2026.

The players

University of Minnesota

The host school for the inaugural ITA College Tennis Weekend, the Golden Gophers are looking to showcase their tennis program and engage with fans.

Michigan

The No. 18 ranked Michigan Wolverines (8-5) will face the Golden Gophers on Friday, bringing a five-match winning streak and ranked singles players Piper Charney (#20) and Lily Jones (#21).

Michigan State

The No. 75 ranked Michigan State Spartans (8-8) will take on the Golden Gophers on Sunday, led by standout player Ellie Blackford.

Mia Liepert

A key player for the Golden Gophers, Mia Liepert is currently 11-3 in singles play this spring and recently defeated No. 54 Mayu Crossley of UCLA.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to find ways to elevate the profile of college tennis and engage fans. Events like the ITA College Tennis Weekend are crucial for achieving that goal.”

— ITA Representative

What’s next

Following this weekend's matches, the Golden Gophers will travel to Wisconsin to face the Badgers. Their performance in these upcoming Big Ten matches will be critical as they look to build momentum and establish themselves as a force in the conference.

The takeaway

The ITA's initiative to create dedicated college tennis weekends is a significant step in promoting the sport and engaging fans. By focusing on enhanced match-day experiences, social media integration, and livestreaming, the ITA aims to raise the profile of college tennis and attract a larger audience to the sport.