The fourth-seeded Michigan men's tennis team had to deal with more than its fair share of obstacles at the Big Ten championship in East Lansing on Apri 27.
Fourth-seeded Michigan, playing without two of its top players, finished sixth in the season-ending tournament after losing to Purdue, 4-0.
The defeat followed a tight 4-3 loss to Indiana on the tournament's first day and a 4-0 thrashing of Michigan State on the second day.
"We came out (Sunday) and didn't play as well as we could," Michigan coach Brian Eisner said. "In a tournament like that, playing three days in a row takes away from your psychological strength."
Adding to the Wolverines' problems, Purdue played with increased intensity.
The second-seeded Boilermakers were wrapping up a disappointing weekend after losing to Minnesota and narrowly beating Penn State, 4-3.
"They came out and played unbelievably, the best match they've played all year," Eisner said. "Purdue had been disappointed after playing terribly against Penn State, so they were really psyched against us."
In fact, none of the four scoring matches even went to three sets.
The Wolverines competed without junior David Paradzik and sophomore Jake Raiton, who were suspended for a violation of team rules.
"The fact that they weren't in the lineup certainly did affect us," Eisner said. "You can't take two of your best players out of the lineup and not feel the effect."
The effect was felt especially hard during the loss to Indiana.
Michigan took a commanding lead after winning the doubles point, but the Hoosiers took four of the six singles matches to secure the victory.
Michigan's one bright spot came the next day when it shut out the Spartans.
The No. 1 and 2 doubles teams were victorious, along with Matt Wright, Mike Pusztai and John Long in singles.
MARGARET MYERS/Daily
William Farah and the Michigan men's tennis team faced a daunting task at the Big Ten championship without two of its top players. The Wolverines finished sixth.