The 10th seeded Wisconsin men’s tennis team upset the No. 7 seed Penn State, 4-3 in the opening match of the 2004 Big Ten Conference Team Championships Thursday afternoon. Marking their third Big Ten win, the Badgers improved to 8-14 overall and 3-8 in conference competition. The Nittany Lions finished their season 13-10 overall and 4-7 in the Big Ten.

The UW squad took the reigns early as they captured the doubles point. In a tight match-up at the No. 1 spot, Wisconsin’s top duo David Hippee and Alex Kasarov brought down Roddy Cantey and Malcolm Schatliffe, 9-8 (3) in the tiebreaker.

The Badgers also took a win at No. 2 doubles, as Scott Green and Pete Amundson defeated Bradley Hunter and Clint Keithley, 8-5.

The two teams were split in singles action, both taking three matches. Wisconsin’s senior co-captains David Hippee and Scott Green both registered points for the Badgers. Green toppled Cantey, 7-5, 6-0, at the No. 2 spot and Hippee downed Clint Keithley in three sets, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. Badger Mark Weinig also took a victory at the No. 5 slot, as he defeated Ryan Berger 6-4, 6-4.

Wisconsin advances in tournament competition and continues play Friday when they face No. 2 seed Ohio State. The Badgers met the Buckeyes earlier this spring and dropped 7-0.

— compiled from staff reports