DETROIT (1/30/2014) -- Three matches in two days with a doubleheader is on the docket as the University of Detroit Mercy men's tennis team visits the states of Illinois and Wisconsin this weekend.

UDM will begin things with double action on Saturday as the Titans face Southern Illinois at 11:00 a.m. (EST) and Northern Illinois at 2:00 p.m., at the Boylan Tennis Center in Rockford, Ill. The Titans will then head north to battle Wisconsin-Whitewater on Sunday at 9:00 a.m., at Premier Tennis & Fitness in Janesville, Wis.

"This is going to be a good test for us, both physically and mentally," said head coach Grant Asher. "We are taking on three very good teams and I am looking to get everyone some playing time and mix it up with some different combinations at doubles."

UDM (1-3) came up with its first win of the season as the Titans came from behind to upend Duquesne, 4-3, last Friday in their home opener. Sophomore Rafael Orantes put the finishing touches on the come back with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, tally at No. 4 singles for his fourth win of the year.

Freshman Patryk Koscielski leads the team in singles with a 6-4 record, while senior Bobby Cawood has been part of a team-high three doubles victories.

The Salukis have dropped two straight to start the year falling to Oklahoma State, 4-0, and South Dakota State, 4-3. In the fall, the SIU duo of Jonny Rigby and Michal Kianicka won the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Individual Doubles Championship, the first doubles title for the Salukis since 1990. Southern Illinois was 13-6 last season and 6-2 in the MVC, which included a trip to the conference tournament semifinals.

NIU is 2-1 on the season and after starting the campaign with a close 4-3 setback at Drake, the Huskies have bounced back with a 6-1 victory over Chicago State and a 7-0 triumph over IPFW. Northern Illinois was 16-9 last season and advanced to the MAC Championship, falling to Western Michigan, 4-3.

Wisconsin-Whitewater is a strong Division III program that captured an individual and a doubles championship at the USTA/ITA Midwest Regional Championship last fall. The Warhawks – who were 19-12 last season and made the NCAA Tournament - will begin the duel season against Northern Illinois on Friday.

"Ultimately, this weekend will be good for the guys to really work and develop their game as we move forward," added Coach Asher.

Results for all three matches will be posted once they are known.

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