Steve Senter’s performance in the Huskies’ 8-1 win over Illinois-Chicago gave his coach Charles Merzbacher something to smile about.

One reason is the eight-meet win streak the NIU men’s tennis team (15-8, 5-0 in the Mid-Continent) owns. Another reason is that Merzbacher seems to have found a successful No. 1 doubles combination.

Although Senter lost a 3-setter to UIC’s Mike Koenigsberger in a tie-breaker, he bounced back to help partner Erik Andersch win the No. 1 doubles match.

“This is Erik’s last year,” Senter said. “I didn’t want to drag him down with me just because I lost my singles match.”

Senter lost his No. 3 singles match 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6). Senter, who had a break advantage, was broken which tied the score 5-5. Both players held serves to force the tie-break.

Senter opened up a 3-1 tie-break lead with a forehand volley drop shot and a passing shot down the line. He extended the lead to 5-2, but five straight, unforced errors later, Senter faced match point. Koenigsberger took advantage of his first opportunity by slapping the match winner past Senter down the line.

“(Koenigsberger) is a tough lefty,” said Merzbacher. “Steve couldn’t get grooved on that lefty serve, that was the difference.”

Senter and Andersch took the first set of the No. 1 doubles easily 6-1. But it took a tie-breaker to win the second set.

In the rest of the lineup, Mats Persson had a tougher time than his 6-0, 6-4 win indicates; Erik Andersch won 6-3, 6-3; Dustin Dobrin escaped a 3-setter with a 6-0, 7-5 win despite being down 4-2 in the second; Paul Gill rolled 6-0, 6-4; and Dave Settelmeyer quickly won 6-0, 6-1. The Huskies swept the doubles.