MIDLAND, Mich. -- Sixth-seeded Michigan Tech lost both of its matches today at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament at the Midland Tennis Center. Third-seeded Ferris State knocked off the Huskies in a first round match, 5-2, before seventh-seeded Wayne State eked out a 5-4 decision in the second round.

"Both matches were very close," said Tech Head Coach Mike Axford. "We worked hard, but didn't come through with the big points when we needed them."

Tech found itself trailing, 3-0, after doubles in its opening match vs. FSU. Samantha Jang-Stewart then won her number four singles match, 6-1, 6-0, and Heather Neff came through with a 6-4, 7-5 victory at number six to give the Huskies two team points. The Bulldogs closed out the team win with triumphs at the top two singles spots. Molly Basha topped Amy Palmgren, 6-2, 6-3, at number one. Marissa Muchow defeated Silvia Oliveros, 7-5, 6-1, at number two. Tech was leading the matches at number three and five singles, but did not finish because the team match had already been decided.

The second-round match for the Huskies was tight from start to finish. All three doubles matches were decided with 8-6 scores. Palmgren and Oliveros claimed a win at number one doubles, but Wayne State was victorious in the other two doubles flights.

Tech took a 3-2 lead in the team match as Palmgren delivered a 6-0, 6-3 triumph over Amanda Pressotto at number one singles, and Monika Malinska won in straight sets at number three singles.

The only three-set match of the day came at number five singles, where WSU's Meghan Luzod outlasted Whitney Schoep, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. That deadlocked the match at 3-3 before Oliveros' won a 7-6 (5), 6-3 decision at number two singles for a 4-3 Tech lead. Wayne State closed out the win with straight set victories at number four and six singles.

"It was a disappointing day for our team," said Axford. "There is not much separating the second through eighth place teams in our conference, and we didn't play well enough to win. We'll have to put this behind us and get ready for a tough match tomorrow."

Michigan Tech (6-8) will face fourth-seeded Mercyhurst in the seventh-place match of the GLIAC Tournament tomorrow at 10 a.m.