De PERE, Wis. - The Michigan Tech tennis team succesfully opened its 2007-08 season by defeating St. Norbert, 8-1. The Huskies swept the singles points and took two of three doubles points to gain the victory and move to 1-0 on the season.

Three Michigan Tech players won singles matches by losing just one game. Amy Palmgren (number one singles) won 6-0, 6-1, while Nicole Kirsh (number three) and Samantha Jang-Stewart (number four) both turned in 6-1, 6-0 scores.

Silvia Oliveros garnered a 6-3, 7-5 victory at number two singles. Freshmen Asel Otunchieva and Nathalia Rondelli both won by 6-3, 6-4 scores at numbers five and six singles, respectively.

In doubles, Jang-Stewart and Otunchieva combined for a 9-7 win at number three doubles. Oliveros and Rondelli teamed up for an 8-4 win at number two doubles. St. Norbert scored their only team point at number one doubles by an 8-6 count over Palmgren and Kirch.

"It's always good to get the win," said head coach Mike Axford. "We were a little nervous going into the season, and I think we got some of that out before our first conference match. It's also exciting for the freshmen to get wins to start their careers."

Michigan Tech will host Mercyhurst Friday (Sept. 7) at 1 p.m. in its home and conference opener.