DeKALB – The NIU men’s tennis team went up against the Youngstown State University Penguins at home. The Huskies beat the Penguins with a final score of 5-2. 

The Huskies (5-3, 0-0 MAC) are yet to lose a match at home this spring and extended the Penguins’ (5-5, 0-0 HL) losing streak to two games with the win. 

DOUBLES: 1-0 NIU

The Huskies started off strong, taking the doubles point with a pair of 6-4 victories. NIU Juniors Cheng En Tsai and Mikael Vollbach secured a win at No. 1 over sophomore Nathan Favier and senior Laurentiu Mandocescu. Freshman Iker Gaztambide Arrastia and senior Oliver Valentinsson also helped the Huskies by getting the win at No. 3 against junior Asier Pena Ibanez and sophomore  Clement Mainguy. 

SINGLES: 4-2 NIU

After a great start in the doubles round, the Huskies were able to carry the momentum and defeat the Penguins in the singles round. Four of the singles matches went to three sets, with NIU claiming three of them. At No. 1, En Tsai took the first set against Mandocescu by a score of 6-1. En Tsai lost the second set in a tie-breaker, but won the third set to win the match by a set score of 6-1, 6-7, 6-2. 

Valentinsson at No. 3 and junior  Armin Koschtojan at No. 4 both lost the first set, but went on to win the next two. Valentinsson was against Favier and Koschtojan was against senior Will Everett. Valentinsson finished with 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 and Koschtojan finished with 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. 

Arrastia cruised through his opponent, Javi Pla by set scores of 6-2 and 6-1 

LOOKING AHEAD

The Huskies have two more home games against the University of North Dakota at 11 a.m. Sunday and the University of Illinois, Chicago Wednesday at 1 p.m. Both games will be played at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House.