NIU men’s tennis (8-13, 1-7 MAC) earned its first Mid-American Conference win against the University of Toledo (9-10, 3-6 MAC), edging out the Rockets 4-3 to snap a six match losing streak.
The Huskies got off to an early lead, clinching the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3.
NIU sophomore duo Saul Berdullas and Sam Klein bested Rockets junior Matias Olivero and sophomore Charlie Snow in a 6-3 set.
NIU freshmen Pratyaksh and Chiao Bo Suo Nan defeated Toledo juniors Lucas Britez and Joshua Mackey by a score of 6-3 to put the Huskies ahead.
NIU juniors Iker Gaztambide Arrastia and Federico Scotuzzi lost a 6-3 set against Toledo senior Hanamichi Carvajal and sophomore Poonthong Komolpisut at the No. 1 doubles spot.
“We’re always about finding the positives and learning from every situation,” said NIU men’s tennis head coach René Vidal on the resilience of the team. “Whether we’re succeeding or whether we’re falling a little bit short.”
The Huskies split singles play, winning three matches for the team win.
At No. 1 singles, Gaztambide Arrastia defeated Komolpisut in 6-3, 6-4 sets.
Berdullas was defeated in 6-3, 7-5 sets after a dominant first set against Carvajal.
Scotuzzi was up in the third set against Olivero when the match was retired, giving Scotuzzi a 2-6, 6-3, 5-4 victory.2-6, 6-3, 5-4 (retired).
Bo Suo Nan fell in straight 6-3 sets against Toledo sophomore Cole Cozens 6-3, 6-3.
After taking a 6-4 first set victory, Dellien Velasco dropped 3-6, 2-6 set losses to Britez.
Pratyaksh sealed the win for NIU in a three-set battle with Mackey in 7-5, 0-6, 6-3 sets.
UP NEXT
NIU will take on Ball State University in the first of two remaining matches at noon Thursday in Muncie, Indiana.
