HOUGHTON, Mich. -- Lake Superior State edged Michigan Tech, 5-4, in women's tennis today at the Gates Tennis Center.

A 2-1 advantage after doubles proved too tough for the Huskies to overcome. Samantha Jang-Stewart and Monika Malinska made quick work in their number two doubles match with an 8-2 victory. At number one doubles, Silvia Oliveros and Amy Palmgren let a 5-2 lead slip away. LSSU's Cellina Grondin and Lindsay Adams won the final six games of the pro-set for an 8-5 decision.

Tech's number three duo of Heather Neff and Whitney Schoep nearly turned the tables on the Lakers by overcoming a 5-0 deficit to force a tiebreaker. They eventually lost, 9-8 (7-1), however, and Lake State held its 2-1 match lead.

In singles, Oliveros was forced to retire from her match at number two after sustaining an injury. LSSU's Megan LaMothe claimed the 6-2, 5-3 (retired) victory.

Jang-Stewart and Schoep recorded straight set victories for the Huskies at number four and five singles, respectively, to tie the team match at 3-all.

Palmgren won the first set of her number one singles before Grondin battled back to win by scores of 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. Lake Superior State's Alex Chiakmakis won the deciding point in the team match at number six singles with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Neff. Malinska finished soon after with a 6-1, 6-1 triumph at number three to make the final team score, 5-4.

"The loss at number one doubles really hurt," said head coach Mike Axford. "As a team, we played only average, and we needed to be good today to beat Lake State. We'll look to bounce back to two more winable matches at home next weekend."

Michigan Tech (4-1, 2-1 GLIAC) will host Grand Valley State next Friday (Sept. 29) at 2 p.m. and Ferris State Saturday (Sept. 30) at 10 a.m.