Wolverines narrowly lose in BTT

By Jeff Phillips

Daily Sports Writer

Tennis matches don't get any closer than the Michigan men's tennis team's 4-3 loss to No. 7 Illinois in the semifinals of the Big Ten Championships on Saturday.

"We played extremely well," Michigan coach Mark Mees said. "This match proved that we can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the top ten."

After dropping the doubles point, the Wolverines pushed the Illini to the brink. Five of the six singles matches went to three sets - Michigan's Matt Wright won 6-1, 6-1 over tenth-ranked Cary Franklin in the only blowout.

Just how close was the match? Three of the five three-set matches went to final-set tiebreakers - which left the match to be decided by just two points.

John Long narrowly lost to No. 62 Jeff Laski, 9-7 in the tiebreaker. In Michigan's previous match against Illinois, Long also lost to Laski 9-7 in a third-set tiebreaker.

Henry Beam needed to win a second set tiebreaker 10-8 against Graydon Oliver to send their match to a third set. Beam then lost the third set tiebreaker by an identical 10-8 score.

Danny McCain was the only Wolverine to win a third-set tiebreaker. McCain's tiebreaker was just as close as his teammates', as he won 9-7 over Illinois' Jamal Parker.

"We were just one point away from winning the match, it is disappointing," Michigan sophomore Ben Cox said.

The Wolverines split the other three-set matches, with Cox winning at No. 5 singles and Zach Held losing at No. 6.

"We will try and get past (the loss)," Cox said, "but it will take awhile."

Although it is probably no consolation for the Wolverines, their loss came to the eventual tournament champions. Yesterday, Illinois captured the Big Ten Championship title by defeating Minnesota, 4-1.

On Friday, Michigan avenged a previous loss to Purdue by pounding the Boilermakers 4-1. The final two singles matches were abandoned after the Wolverines had clinched the victory.

"I am very proud of the way the guys played against Purdue," Mees said.

After the Wolverines won the doubles point, Wright defeated the first of two top-35 opponents by cruising to a straight-set victory against the Boilermakers' Jason Marshall.

Henry Beam and Ben Cox picked up the other wins for the Wolverines in straight sets.

The last time Michigan faced Purdue, the Wolverines played without their top singles player Wright.

"We have no regrets," Mees said. "We left it all out on the court."

Michigan, currently ranked No. 23, will now wait until Thursday for the NCAA bracket to be released.