The NIU men’s tennis team came back from Madison, Wis., with more than they expected—a loss.

The Huskies, now 5-1, walked into Nielson Tennis Stadium Saturday having beat UW twice last year, 7-2, 7-4, but left the courts with an 8-1 defeat in the Badgers’ opening match.

“They’re a lot tougher this year,” said NIU head coach Carl Neufeld. “We played hard, but we didn’t play our best. There are no excuses. They’re much better and they beat us.”

Kelly Holt’s 6-1, 6-2 win at the No. 4 singles seed for the Huskies prevented the match from being a shutout.

“Kelly is the one standout performer,” Neufeld said. “He was very consistent today. He sat out last year and I think he’s back to feeling comfortable on the court, and that has him playing with confidence.”

All of the Huskie doubles team combinations are new this year, which Neufeld feels to be a negative factor for the team.

“I was disappointed in our doubles play,” Neufeld said. “We may have to look at some other combinations, but the chemistry just doesn’t seem to be there. It may not have made a difference today, but it’s important for the future.”

Scoring near wins for the Huskies in three-set matches were Randy Panagopoulos, who lost to Dave Mirsberger 6-2, 6-7, 6-2 in the No. 6 position, and Erik Andersch-Mike Hill in No. 3 doubles, who lost 7-5, 6-7, 7-5 to Jack Waite-Mirsberger.

Other Huskie singles-team defeats include Steve Wiere, who bowed to Tim Madden 6-1, 6-2 at No. 1 and Erik Andersch, who lost to Jim Schneider at No. 2, 7-6, 6-3.

Emil Bijleveld at No. 3, lost to Waite 7-5, 7-5, and Gary Hattendorf was defeated by No. 5, John Zerweck, 6-1, 6-3.

Doubles losses included Wiere-Panagopoulos, who were beat by Madden-Brian Amero at No. 1, 6-2, 6-4, and Bijleveld-Holt, who was upset by No. 2, Schneider-Zerweck, 6-1, 6-4.

The netters will travel to Illinois State, Normal, Ill., for their 2 p.m. match on Tuesday.