Going into the match, the Penn State (7-8, 0-3) men's tennis team knew the odds were severely stacked against them. Unfortunately, they were not able to pull off the upset.

The Nittany Lions fell to their third straight Big Ten opponent, No. 27 Minnesota, losing 7-0.

The team knew it would be a battle and figured to use the match as a way to help them prepare for other up-coming Big Ten matches.

"I think everyone competed well," junior Matt Frakes said.

"They're one of the top teams in the country and I think we went toe to toe with them."

The match wasn't without its high points as senior captain Jamie Gresh put on a stellar performance against the No.1 singles player in the nation, Harsh Mankad.

Gresh looked as if he refused to be denied, fighting back and taking the second set. Gresh forced the match into a tiebreaker but it wasn't enough as he lost to Mankad 4-6, 6-4, 7-6.

Gresh feels that not only his performance but the performance of the entire team is something to be proud of.

"They're No.27 in the country and we hung in there and fought hard so that's a positive," he said.

Coach Jan Bortner felt that although the score was 7-0, the match was much closer, especially in terms of doubles play.

"We really stepped it up in doubles today," Bortner said.

"We just need to make sure we maintain our aggressiveness."

Sophomore Roddy Cantey and freshmen Clint Keithley put on a strong showing at No. 3 singles before losing 9-8.

The team is confident that it will be able to turn this defeat into something positive as they head to Iowa next Saturday.

"I definitely feel we've improved," Gresh said. "It's just a matter of going in and getting it."

"If we play the way we played today it's definitely a very winnable match."

Bortner excepts the fact that they lost to a better team but is now looking to get some Big Ten victories.

He said the last two loses against Ohio State and now Minnesota have been learning experiences but he is ready for a win. He hopes to get that elusive Big Ten victory this weekend.

"Going into Iowa we just want to win," Bortner said.

"We want to win, we don't care if it's ugly or what."

The Nittany Lions look to put in an intense week of practice and come away with the victory.

"We're looking to go in there and play aggressive," Frakes said.

"We really want to come out of there with a victory and I think we can if we play aggressive and play up to our ability."