Huskies Stopped by Lake Superior State

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Michigan Tech men's tennis team fell on the road against Lake Superior State University 9-0 on Saturday in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup. The Huskies stayed within striking distance of the Lakers in doubles competition, but were unable to secure points to start the match.

Illiya Chibirev and Tayler Bethke highlighted the day for Tech with a strong performance in the No. 3 doubles spot. Chibirev and Bethke traded points with Miles Munro and Hunter Koster of Lake Superior State (7-10, 1-6 GLIAC) before the Lakers duo pulled away late to win 8-6. Ricardo Paes and Jacob Prochnow challenged Joseph Gilman and Ieuan Lister in No. 2 doubles and nearly prevailed, but came up empty 8-5.

Juan Felipe Chica had a solid contest in No. 2 singles against Luis Valderrama and stayed on his heels in each set. Valderrama took the lead 6-3 in game one and carried the momentum into the second set where he held off Felipe Chica 6-2.

The Huskies will wrap up the regular season next weekend when they travel to Wayne State University and Northwood University for two more GLIAC contests. Tech will battle Wayne State on Friday at 10 a.m. followed by the Northwood match on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

The complete results can be viewed below.

1. Jake Prime (LSMT) def. Mario Neto (MTM) 6-2, retired

2. Luis Valderrama (LSMT) def. Juan Felipe Chica (MTM) 6-3, 6-2

3. Joseph Gilman (LSMT) def. Ricardo Paes (MTM) 6-2, 6-2

4. Ieuan Lister (LSMT) def. Illiya Chibirev (MTM) 6-3, 6-0

5. Mateus Souza Fonai (LSMT) def. Tayler Bethke (MTM) 6-3, 6-0

6. Peter Summers (LSMT) def. Jacob Prochnow (MTM) 6-0, 6-4

1. Jake Prime/Luis Valderrama (LSMT) def. Mario Neto/Juan Felipe Chica (MTM) 8-2

2. Joseph Gilman/Ieuan Lister (LSMT) def. Ricardo Paes/Jacob Prochnow (MTM) 8-5

3. Miles Munro/Hunter Koster (LSMT) def. Illiya Chibirev/Tayler Bethke (MTM) 8-6