Dana Peterson, a senior on the Gophers women’s tennis team, learned Thursday that she qualified for the NCAA Singles Championship in Tallahassee, Fla.
Peterson became the second Gophers player to ever make the national tournament. Tiffany Gates, currently a junior at Minnesota, qualified for the tournament last season.
The announcement came as a surprise to the team. Gophers coach Martin Novak said Monday that it was “very doubtful” that any Minnesota players would qualify for the tournament.
But Peterson, who was 23-14 this season, received an automatic bid to the tournament based on her ranking. She was the fourth-highest rated player in the Midwest Region, and the top four players in the region qualify.
The Apple Valley native will play her first match May 22. She will find out who her opponent is May 20.

Haskins honored
Gophers men’s basketball coach Clem Haskins will be awarded an honorary doctor of humanities degree May 20 by Simmons Bible College in Louisville, Ky. He is a longtime supporter of missionary programs in Kentucky and has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s from Western Kentucky University.
This summer Haskins will join Coach Lenny Wilkins with the U.S. Olympic Basketball Team. Haskins will then return to Minnesota for his 11th season as Gophers coach.