Sixty-four of the Big Ten's top atennis players were placed in the main pool at the Big Ten Individual Championships this weekend at the University of Michigan. Five opponents and 11 sets later, Penn State senior Roddy Cantey found himself competing in the semi-finals.

Unseeded Cantey fell just short of battling for the Big Ten title when he fell to top-seeded Mike Ruban of Michigan. However, advancing to the semi-finals was quite a feat for the player, who hasn't done well in Big Ten tournaments in the past.

"I was really happy and I'm really excited about how I played this whole weekend," Cantey said. "Everything just seemed to click."

Penn State men's tennis coach Jan Bortner said Cantey performed extremely well throughout the tournament, but the unusually excessive amount of play in three days had an effect on Cantey's performance in his final match.

"He had a great run," Bortner said. "I think [Monday] was one of those things when the long tournament took its toll. He wasn't moving as well [Monday], but he gave it his all and his effort was great."

Although Cantey served and returned serves extremely well throughout the tournament, according to Cantey, who lost 6-1, 6-2 in the semifinals, his opponent was very quick and disallowed the shots he would usually winf.

Sophomore Mark Barry also advanced to the semifinals -- in the consolation bracket. Barry was showcased in one of the most exciting matches of the weekend when he fell just short of defeating Ryan Recht of Indiana. After winning numerous match points, Barry succumbed to Recht 14-12 in the tiebreaker.

"The tiebreaker was just quality tennis," Bortner said. "[Barry] had a great effort and overall we had an outstanding tournament."

In the first round of competition, freshmen Ryan Berger and Aaron Ellis and sophomore Malcolm Scatliffe were eliminated from the main draw. Junior Clint Keithly won his first match but lost in the second round.

In consolation play, freshman Bradley Hunter lost in the first round. After receiving a bye in the first round, junior Jimmy Crowell joined Ryan Berger in the second round, but neither player came out with a victory.

"I think [the Big Ten performance] gives us a boost of momentum," Cantey said. "We are pretty much ready for play in the spring."