Chicago State women's tennis is bound for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in its history

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – For the first time in programming history, Chicago State University women’s tennis is heading to the NCAA Tournament.

These Cougars started three and nine. They've since rolled off 13 wins and 14 tries.

A turnaround that coach Jack Barton says really began with a win over crosstown rival, the UIC.

“They are the cream of the crop when it comes to mid-major tennis and we had never beaten UIC before on the women's side, never in my 14 years.

“We have won some matches prior to that, but that was the one that kind of set the standard that said we can win the Horizon League, we can go in and win the conference.”

Whether they can win even a game against third seed Michigan is yet to be seen, but Barton says Chicago State will take its best shot.

He called the Wolverines not “too big to hit” but “too big to miss.”

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