Michigan got off to a good start in the 1980s, then went on something of a roller coaster for the rest of the decade. The 1982-83 season brought about a big change, as the team played a full Big Ten conference schedule for the first time. Also, Michigan's women's programs joined the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) in 1982. Previously, they had been part of the AIAW, or Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. The 1980s ended with the Wolverines' best season up to that point, as the team won 20 games and earned their first invitation to the "Big Dance," as the NCAA national championship tournament is known.
1980-81: Michigan kicked off the eighties with a 12-15 record, a four game improvement in the win column over the previous season. Highlights included an early season victory over Wisconsin and a late season four game winning streak against Notre Dame, Ohio State, Purdue, and Bowling Green. This team had its share of heartbreaking setbacks, such as a two point loss to Michigan State and a one point loss to Western Michigan. Diane Dietz averaged an even 20 points per game to pace the Wolverines, while Abby Currier was the top rebounder. Freshman Lori Gnatkowski led the team in both assists and steals, a feat she would accomplish in all four of her years at Michigan. Patrice Donovan blocked 44 shots to lead the Wolverines in that category.
1981-82: The Wolverines had a season to remember, winning a school record 17 games while losing only nine. They had two five game winning streaks, and never lost more than two in a row. Coach Soluk and the team got revenge on the Spartans, beating them 78-76 in East Lansing. Michigan also defeated two other Big Ten teams, Purdue and Illinois. Diane Dietz ended her Wolverine career quite impressively, leading the team in both scoring (21.6 ppg) and rebounding (7.4 rpg). Gnatkowski once again took the assist and steals crowns, while Donovan obliterated her previous shot blocking record with 74.
1982-83: Michigan's first full season of Big Ten competition was a difficult one. After suffering through an eight game slump, the team rallied to defeat non-conference opponents Syracuse and Detroit. Then came the league slate, where the Wolverines managed only two wins against 16 defeats. The wins both came at home, versus Iowa and Purdue. Many of Michigan's losses were close ones, so there was plenty of reason for optimism. Peg Harte finished at the top of the scoring and rebounding charts, and Wendy Bradetich in blocked shots.
1983-84: Things did not get much better for the Wolverines, as they finished with an almost identical overall record and the same 2-16 Big Ten mark. Their wins were against Akron, Cincinnati, Purdue, and Wisconsin. Bradetich was the top scorer and rebounder, Gnatkowski led in assists and steals for the fourth consecutive season, and Sandy Svoboda led the team in blocked shots. Coach Gloria Soluk resigned at the end of the campaign and was replaced by Bud Van DeWege.
1984-85: Coach Van DeWege's first squad got off to a fast start, winning four of their first five including victories over Notre Dame and Florida State. After posting a respectable 6-4 non-conference mark, the Wolverines ran into a brick wall called the Big Ten. They managed a 69-56 win over Purdue but that would be their only conference triumph in 18 games. Lorea Feldman led Michigan in scoring and rebounding, while Orethia Lilly took up where Lori Gnatkowski left off in assists and steals. Diana Wiley topped the Wolverine shot blocking chart.
1985-86: Michigan improved its overall record by seven games, as well as its league mark to finish at 14-14 and 8-10 in the Big Ten. Perhaps their most impressive run was a three game conference winning streak over Purdue, Minnesota, and Iowa. Wendy Bradetich topped the Wolverines in scoring in her final season. Lorea Feldman repeated as the rebounding leader. Orethia Lilly took top honors in assists, blocked shots, and steals.
1986-87: The Wolverines started out strong, winning seven and losing only two in non-conference play. They ran into trouble in the Big Ten, where they could muster only two victories against 16 defeats for an overall record of 9-18. They did manage a 74-69 home win against Michigan State as well as a road win over Indiana. Lorea Feldman closed out her Michigan career by leading the team in scoring. Lisa Reynolds was the top rebounder and shot blocker, and Vonnie Thompson the leader in assists and steals.
1987-88: It was back to the break even mark for Michigan, as they reprised the 14-14 overall finish of two seasons earlier. This time, they went 7-11 in the Big Ten. Highlights included a six game winning streak in the non-league part of the schedule, and a three game victory run in the league (Northwestern, Wisconsin, Minnesota). Tempie Brown led the way in points scored, and Tanya Powell was the rebounding champ. Lisa Reynolds won a second straight shot blocking crown, while Vonnie Thompson did the same in the assists and steals categories.
1988-89: Michigan's fortunes took a bit of a downturn, with a 5-13 Big Ten record and 11-17 in all games. They suffered through an 0-8 start in the league, then bounced back to win five of their last 10. Tempie Brown once again was the leading scorer, while also pacing the team in steals. Tanya Powell made it two years in a row as the "Chairwoman of the Boards." Carol Szczechowski led the team in assists.
1989-90: Things got better in a big way for the Wolverines. They won their first six games on the way to a 20-10 record. In the Big Ten, they finished 11-7 which was good enough for fourth place. In addition to the season opening win streak, they also posted seven consecutive conference wins. Michigan women's basketball earned its first ever invitation to the NCAA national championship tournament. In the first round, they defeated Oklahoma State 77-68 on OSU's home court. The Wolverines fought hard in the following game, but fell to North Carolina State. Still, it had been quite a season for Michigan, and a great way to close out the decade. Statistical leaders included Tanya Powell (scoring, rebounding, assists), Trish Andrew (blocked shots) and Carol Szczechowski (steals).