HOUGHTON, Mich. — Today's Michigan Tech men's tennis match vs. Lake Superior State lasted five hours before the final score was decided. Unfortunately for the Huskies, it was the Lakers who took the final two team points to claim a 5-4 non-conference decision at Gates Tennis Center.

LSSU led, 2-1, after doubles. The visitors earned an 8-5 win at number one while Tech triumphed at number two with the same score. Lakers Travis Toth and Eddie Langford outlasted Huskies Justin Foley and Chris Verhulst by a 9-7 count at number three.

Scores were close in all six singles matches. The Huskies took the team lead as the number two and four flights came off the courts. Brandon Ellefson scored a 7-6 (9), 6-4 verdict at two, while Verhulst won in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, at four.

Both Brett Girard and Alan Parenteau played three-set affairs. Girard lost his first set before closing out number one singles match victoriously over Pawel Wegzryn, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Parenteau was not as fortunate at number three singles. He fell, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.

Tech held a 4-3 lead in team score with the final two matches on the courts. Lake Superior State won both. Matt Tronnes fell to Jack Miller by a 6-4, 7-5 score at number six singles.

Foley was edged, 6-4, 7-6 (5), at number five singles.

"This was a really hard-fought match," said head coach Mike Axford. "It's disappointing to lose when we were so close. We needed to execute better on the big points to get us over the hump."

Michigan Tech (1-5) will remain at home to face Ripon tomorrow at 1 p.m.