SPRING ARBOR, MI - In what was close to a re-run of a match a few days ago with Grace College, the men's tennis team was handed another 5-4 defeat, this time was by Marian University.

The top half of the lineup of Thomas Calderone, David Darling, and Aaron Mayes all collected wins at the 1, 2, and 3 singles spots, and all in straight sets. Calderone's 6-3, 6-2 win at one singles, David Darling won his match at two singles 6-3, 6-1 and Aaron Mayes won convincingly at the three spot 6-1, 6-1.

The lone win at doubles came at #2 doubles as David Darling and Nathan Scholten teamed up for an 8-2 win.

The loss hurts the Cougars chances to repeat as conference champions but does not kill their chances of qualifying for a return trip to the NAIA National Championship next spring. The winner of the post season Crossroads League (CL) Tournament earns a spot in the NAIA Tournament.

"We have to win the points we should win on paper," said Coach Terry Darling. "With Grace it was the two doubles and here it was our one doubles. I expected us to win those and its disappointing that we didn't and that's the difference for us right now."

The Cougars will take to the road on Tuesday and head to Goshen College for a match with the Maple Leafs at 4:00. Goshen is 2-2 in the CL with wins over Saint Francis and Taylor and has suffered losses against Indiana Wesleyan and Huntington.