The men's tennis team likes three things about Michigan.

The tradition, the team and football.

This weekend, the Wolverines took on the tradition in the annual homecoming alumni exhibition.

Seven alums returned to the Varsity Tennis Center, and a laid-back atmosphere surrounded them as they faced the current Michigan squad. But the young guns proved too much, grabbing three of four doubles matches.

The "alumni" notched their lone win when the mixed team of 2002 graduate Greg Novak and current sophomore Mike DePietro defeated senior Steve Peretz and freshman Matt Parks, 8-5.

"I got lucky," Novak said. "I got a good partner, and we pulled it out against these guys."

A vocal court two featured several abnormal shots as senior Ryan Heller and sophomore Andrew Mazlin played against 2003 graduates Chris Rolf and Chris Shaya. Down 3-2, Rolf fell over backwards after hitting a forehand winner. Later in the match, Rolf continued to impress with a passing shot over everyone's head to the deepest part of the left corner. But the Wolverines were too quick, prevailing 8-5.

"I think they lost a step here and there," Heller said. "But they enjoy it. They come out here; they want to play; they want to compete; they want to beat us; they want to take us down. It ain't gonna happen."

Other recent graduates, Henry Beam, Jr. and Anthony Jackson faced, the nationally ranked No. 5 doubles team of senior Brian Hung and junior Matko Maravic. Losing 8-5, Beam was honored to step on the court with one of the best duos in the nation.

"I feel like I'm very lucky because I was able to play with the two best players in the country," Beam said.

The youngest team, sophomore Peter Aarts and freshman George Navas, triumphed over the youngest alums Vinny Gossain and David Anving. Despite a few struggles, Aarts and Navas pulled out an 8-6 victory.

The weekend focused less on wins or losses and more on telling stories and getting in touch with the current Wolverines. With 1980 French Open Men's Doubles Champion Victor Amaya observing, the alumni in town noticed a change in the team they hadn't seen in years past.

"I knew that they were very, very good as a team, but I didn't realize how tight of a unit they are," Beam said. "Not only are they great tennis players, but these guys - they're a pack of 11."

As close as the team is, Michigan coach Bruce Berque is determined to keep the tradition closer.

Reconnecting with past players, trying to schedule events and even inviting graduates to the tennis team's spring break trip to Hawaii, Berque is sending a message to the young Wolverines.

"When our players feel that what they're doing is bigger than themselves, then it's going to motivate them more to work hard," Berque said.

As the 1957 NCAA Championship banner hangs proudly in the rafters, history is just what the Wolverines look to repeat. The alumni feel it isn't far away.

"(Michigan is) on the right track to be a top team in the nation," Novak said. "Bruce is a great coach. What they're doing with the facility and how he's bringing these people out and the scoreboards, and just having these events to bring people in. (It's) definitely on the right track."