Men's Tennis Earns GLIAC Split in Home Debuts

HOUGHTON, Mich – The Michigan Tech men's tennis team kicked off the home portion of its 2016 schedule with matches against Findlay and Hillsdale this weekend (April 2-3) at Gates Tennis Center.

The Huskies, who entered the weekend with a 3-6 overall record, beat Findlay 6-3 Saturday morning before falling 5-4 to Hillsdale earlier today. 

Michigan Tech 6, Findlay 3 (Box Score)

The Black and Gold claimed two of the three doubles matches and went 4-for-6 in the singles competition to earn the squad's first GLIAC win of the season.

Ricardo Paes earned the clinching win at the No. 6 single spot, coming from behind to beat UF's Reid Wynkoop 3-6, 6-5, 7-6. The Huskies also got singles victories from Built Yumuang, Nick Kremkow and Juan Felipe Chica.

The doubles pairing of Paes and Yumuang won their match 9-7, while the team of Kremkow and Chica Toro rolled to an 8-2 triumph in their match.

"We had a great team effort vs. Findlay," said head coach Kevin Kalinec. "That was the best we've played in doubles all season, and our freshmen are really starting to look comfortable at this level. I also thought our senior leadership was pivotal in the win."

Hillsdale 5, Michigan Tech 4 (Box Score)

The Huskies fell just short of a weekend sweep in today's match, eventually losing to Hillsdale in a tightly contested contest.

Tech was once again strong in doubles and got victories from the No. 2 and 3 teams by scores of 8-6 and 9-7, respectively.

Robin Duhnsen and Yumuang earned wins in their singles matches, but Hillsdale's depth proved to be the difference.

"I thought was played well again today, but they were better than us in singles and that was the deciding factor," said Kalinec. "Our doubles teams were solid once again and, like I said yesterday, we're continuing to have good leadership and the younger players are showing they are adjusting nicely to college tennis." 

Michigan Tech (4-7 overall; 1-3 GLIAC) will head downstate to play Grand Valley State and Ferris State next weekend (April 9-10).