MIDLAND, Mich. — Michigan Tech's 2009 men's tennis season ended today with a 5-0 loss to No. 12-ranked Northwood in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies, who were playing in their first-ever NCAA Tournament match, wrapped up the campaign with a 9-10 overall record.

"We knew it was going to be a challenge," said head coach Mike Axford. "Northwood's a really good team. I think they've been to the Nationals every year since the NCAA went to the team format in 1997."

Tech battled through doubles, posting scores of 8-4, 8-3 and 8-2 at Nos. 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Senior Brett Girard and freshman Douglas Yossida's No. 1 doubles match was the closest of the day. The duo played right with Northwood's Peter Kazianschuetz and Frederic Schoelzel before a service break allowed the hosts to pull away. The Huskies' No. 2 pairing of Brandon Ellefson and Anders Sandholm also played a strong match.

"It was a matter of a couple points at both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles," said Axford.

In singles, Northwood won quickly at both No. 2 (6-1, 6-0) and No. 4 (6-0, 6-0) to claim the team victory. The other four singles matches remained unfinished.

"We didn't play bad, but perhaps came out a little slowly in our first NCAA match—something you can't do against a team like Northwood," said Axford. "This team took the step of getting us to the NCAA Tournament. Hopefully this experience will allow next year's team to take another step and get into the win column in the NCAAs."

Three Michigan Tech seniors played their final matches. Girard, Brandon Ellefson and Alan Parenteau led the tennis program to a fifth-place finish in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the NCAA Tournament berth in 2009