DeKALB – The NIU men’s tennis team (6-3) remained undefeated at home after defeating the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks (10-2) by a final score of 4-1 Sunday.

DOUBLES: 1-0 NIU

Juniors Mikael Vollbach and Cheng En Tsai played well in the doubles round for their eighth consecutive match together. They started off with a 6-4 win at No. 1 doubles against UND senior Gerhard Sullwald and fifth-year student Nikita Snezhko. 

Shortly after, Huskie senior Oliver Valentinsson and freshman Iker Gaztambide Arrastia secured another win at No. 3 doubles against UND junior Riley Odell and sophomore Drew Van Fossen. As a team, the Huskies are 16-4 this season in doubles matches.

SINGLES: 3-1 NIU

Valentinsson continued his strong play into singles with his matchup at No. 3 singles. Valentinsson defeated UND graduate student Edmond Aynedjian with a set score of 6-2, 6-1. His partner in the doubles round, Gaztambide Arrastia, also won at the No. 5 singles against freshman Jayho Hong with a set score of 6-3, 6-2. Vollbach also finished with a similar set score of 6-3, 6-2 over junior Cian McDonnell at No. 2 singles.

En Tsai was only a game away from a win at No. 1 singles against Sullwald. En Tsai beat Sullwald with a set score of 5-7, 6-3, 6-5 and unfinished. 

Freshman Christopher Norlin was against UND senior Petro Alex and was also leading his unfinished match at No. 6 singles. He finished with a set score of 6-3, 6-1.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Huskies have one more home match against the University of Illinois Chicago at 1 p.m. Wednesday.