The Badgers gave two top 20 schools all they could handle, but the No. 28 UW men's tennis team came away winless in a pair of non-conference road duals this past weekend.
On Saturday, the Badgers (4-2) were defeated 5-2 at the hands of No. 20 North Carolina State. UW followed that by suffering a 4-3 loss at No. 14 Wake Forest the next day.
Despite coming away without a win, the Badgers had to be pleased with the effort shown over the weekend, especially in a contest decided by one match on Sunday.
After sweeping the doubles point and winning two of the first three singles matches, the Demon Deacons (3-0) held a 3-1 advantage. The Badgers drew within one point after No. 39 Moritz Baumann, a sophomore, outlasted No. 64 Cory Parr 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 at No. 1 singles.
Wake Forest, however, clinched the dual in the next match when Jason Morgenstern took down UW senior Felipe Bellido 6-4, 6-4 at No. 6 singles.
For the Badgers, senior Nolan Polley, ranked No. 100 in the nation, and freshman Marek Michalicka came out victorious in their respective singles matches. Polley defeated No. 91 Steven Forman in three sets at No. 2 singles. Michalicka improved to 5-0 in singles play in his first spring season with UW.
Saturday's match began with the Badgers' opponent capturing two of three matches to take the doubles point. UW's No. 3 duo of Polley and sophomore Michael Dierberger coasted to an 8-1 win over the Wolfpack's David Rozek and Derek Stephens.
North Carolina State (4-1) took the top three singles matches in straight sets. The Badgers were able to salvage two singles victories for the final margin. At No. 4, Michalicka defeated Stephens 6-3, 6-3, while Dierberger knocked off Eric Turner 6-1, 6-1 at the No. 6 spot.
The Badgers continue on the road this Saturday, heading to South Bend, Ind., to take on No. 11 Notre Dame (5-1).
Women
The UW women's tennis team suffered its first defeat of the spring season, losing 6-1 to No. 63 Virgina Tech last Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.
The Hokies (3-1) pounced quickly on the Badgers (2-1), winning the doubles point and the first three singles matches to clinch the contest. UW's lone win came at No. 5 singles, where senior Morgan Tuttle knocked off J.J. Larson 6-3, 6-4.
The Badgers will host the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Team Indoor Championships at Nielsen Tennis Stadium starting this Thursday. It lasts until Sunday, Feb. 10.
- uwbadgers.com contributed to this report.
