When it comes to winning matches, starting strong is just as important as finishing strong for Northwestern.

Up 4-1 in the decisive third set, Marc Dwyer was on track for that strong finish. But the senior dropped the final five games of the set, handing Michigan the match clincher and a 4-3 victory Sunday at Combe Tennis Center.

The Wildcats (13-6, 1-3 Big Ten) lost the doubles point, but then fought back with three singles wins. Trailing 3-1, the Wolverines (7-12, 1-3) matched the Cats, firing off three straight singles wins of their own for the come-from-behind victory. Michigan had previously dropped eight straight matches.

The loss dampened the excitement of winning Saturday’s match against Michigan State. The 5-2 win was the first conference victory for the program under coach Arvid Swan.

“It’s kind of nice to get that first win because we know we’re a good team and we know we’re making progress,” freshman Eric Spector said. “But that just proves it – proves it to us, proves it to everybody else.”

Despite getting their first Big Ten win, the loss against Michigan was indicative of NU’s recent struggles. All six of the Cats’ losses have been 4-3 decisions, and four of the six have come when the team lost the doubles point. Aside from the match against the Spartans, the Cats have not won a doubles point in conference play.

Junior captain Alex Sanborn said aside from getting the extra point, doubles play sets the pace for the match and usually proves to be the difference.

“The doubles point is always huge because of all of our 4-3 matches,” Sanborn said. “The way our singles is set up, we’re pretty deep, so we have to get the doubles point if we’re going to win these 4-3 matches.”

Swan was pleased to see his players hanging with tough opponents, which is a step up from last year’s winless Big Ten season. He expects the close matches to turn in their favor soon.

“It’s a whole process,” Swan said. “If you think about where we were last year to where we are now, the transition to beating top-ranked teams doesn’t happen overnight. We’re competing hard, and we’re giving ourselves a chance to win. Put yourself in that position enough times, and you’re going to convert.”

The Cats got some sun on spring break as well, when they traveled to the southwest to take on Northern Arizona and then-No. 20 Arizona. They defeated the unranked Lumberjacks, 5-2. Despite winning the doubles point, the Cats lost another close match to Arizona, 4-3.

The two desert matches added the outdoor element for the team, which Swan labeled as good preparation for when NU has to head outdoors later in the season. He added that facing a strong non-conference opponent such as Arizona is critical because of the strength of the Big Ten.

“We didn’t play great against Northern Arizona, but we got a win,” Swan said. “(The trip) gave us a chance to beat the No. 20 team. We just didn’t get it done, unfortunately.”

Swan switched around the first and second doubles teams over break –