Most sports fans will say there are just two important stats: wins and losses.

But for the young Michigan men's tennis team, it's more valuable to play the game than win it.

Last weekend in Midland, Texas, sophomores Peter Aarts and Scott Bruckman and freshman George Rivas participated in the Racquet Club Collegiate Invitational. Unfortunately for Michigan, they weren't able to stay in the competition for long: None of them made it to the final day.

Finishing with a record of 2-8 over two days, the Wolverines aren't pleased with the results, but they are satisfied to get in competitive matches.

"It's a learning process," Michigan assistant coach Sean Maymi said. "It was one of (Navas's) first tournaments outside of Ann Arbor. Peter and Scott were able to take away (experience) from this, come back to practice and find things to work on."

Seeing their first action since the Wolverine Invitational two weeks ago, Aarts and Bruckman dropped their opening singles matches. Aarts took his match to three sets (3-6, 6-3, 5-7), but Bruckman didn't make much of the main draw, losing in straight sets (0-6, 4-6). In the consolation bracket, both were ousted early in the draw.

The two also played together in the doubles draw, but they couldn't get out of the first round, losing eight games to four. Maymi knows they are capable of more.

"They have a very good chemistry but need a little more discipline with their shot selection," Maymi said. "They want to play a hard shot, when only a simple shot is needed."

Rivas started off well in the singles draw of 32 players, winning in straight sets. But his second match, against 96th-ranked Blake Strode of Arkansas, was a learning experience. Despite dropping the first break, Rivas rallied to win the first set in a tiebreak (7-4). But even as Strode continued to break early in subsequent sets, Rivas couldn't establish himself, losing the match in three.

"Being down right away is tough," Rivas said. "The guy can take more chances, and (it) puts more pressure on you."

Seeing the raw freshman take a top-100 opponent to a third set, Maymi feels Rivas is starting to get used to college tennis.

"(The match) helps him to understand that he's able to perform a high level," Maymi said. "He is a very aggressive player. Now it's getting him to get a little more patient and get used to the different level. He's still going through that."

Michigan looks to bring its experience back to practice to prepare for the Wilson/ITA Midwest Regional Championships this weekend.

Planning to take the entire team except seniors Brian Hung and Ryan Heller, who have already qualified for Nationals, Maymi sees the team's potential. Now, it's just about making the improvements.

"We're getting critical on the guys," Maymi said. "But in the end, it's going to help them."

With experience under their belt and adjustments being made, the Wolverines are now aiming to get the stat they want: wins