Siddhesh Mahadeshwar swings tennis racket

Huskies Tripped up by Grand Valley State in GLIAC Opener

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech men's tennis team opened Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition Friday at the Gates Tennis Center, falling to Grand Valley State University 7-0. Friday's contest was the first of three in a row at home this weekend for the Huskies.

"Give Grand Valley State credit for playing an outstanding match," Michigan Tech Head Coach Kevin Kalinec said. "The Lakers are a strong team and we were a little overmatched, but our guys fought hard and gave a great effort up and down the lineup. We'll look to build on the positives from today's match and bounce back tomorrow against Ferris State."

Grand Valley State (10-4, 1-0 GLIAC) got the upper hand in doubles with three wins to claim the first point in Friday's showdown. Michigan Tech (2-6, 0-1 GLIAC) had senior Mario Neto and freshman Siddhesh Mahadeshwar take on Sebastien Lescoulie and DJ Colantone of the Lakers in No. 1 doubles. Neto and Mahadeshwar kept things close early, but the Lakers' duo pulled way for a 6-2 win.

Sophomore Nico Caviglia and Sophomore Ignacio Carbajosa teamed up for Tech in No. 2 doubles and fell to Grand Valley State's Jack Geissler and Martin Matov 6-1. In No. 3 doubles, senior Juan Felipe Chica and freshman Nathan Sodini came up short 6-0 to Jack Dausman and Nicolas Welker.

Unfortunately, the Lakers were able to sweep all of the singles points in Friday's match as well. Neto held his own against Lescoulie in the No. 1 spot, especially in the first set. The two players traded points early until a late charge by Lescoulie led to a 6-3 victory in set number one. Lescoulie went on to win the second set 6-1 to record the point.

In No. 2 singles, Geissler got past Cavigilia 6-1, 6-2 while Carbajosa fell to Matov in No. 3 singles by identical set scores. Dausman prevailed over Mahadeshwar 6-2, 6-0 in No. 4 singles, Felipe Chica stumbled against Eric Zwemer in No. 5 singles 6-2, 6-2, and Sodini lost to Welker in the No. 6 spot 6-2, 6-1.

The Huskies return to the court Saturday for another GLIAC home match against Ferris State University. The first serve from the Gates Tennis Center it slated for 10:00 a.m. eastern time.