NIU men’s tennis (8-15, 1-9 MAC) dropped its season finale against the Western Michigan University Broncos (16-10, 6-4 MAC) in a close 4-3 loss.

The Huskies started strong by clinching the doubles point after two match wins.

Huskie juniors Iker Gaztambide Arrastia and Federico Scotuzzi defeated Western Michigan graduate student Brogan Pierce and sophomore Drew Evans in a tight 6-4 set at No. 1 doubles.

The Huskies fell at the No. 2 spot when sophomores Saul Berdullas and Sam Klein dropped a 6-3 match against Western Michigan sophomore Ashton Adesoro and freshman Jack Davison.

NIU freshmen duo Chiao Bo Suo Nan and Pratyaksh LNU secured a 6-4 victory at No. 3 doubles over Broncos sophomore Anton Arzhankin and freshman Oscar Corwin to clinch the doubles point for the Huskies.

In singles play, Western Michigan rallied to win four of six matches, sealing their comeback victory.

At No. 1 singles, Gaztambide Arrastia fell to Arzhankin in three sets, losing 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.

Berdullas prevailed in three sets against Adesoro, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2.

Scotuzzi claimed a victory at No. 3 singles, defeating Corwin after dropping the first set, winning by a score of 2-6, 6-4, 7-6.

After a 6-4 first set win, Pratyaksh was swept in 6-0, 6-0 sets by Pierce. 

Klein lost to Western Michigan freshman Alex Antonopoulos at No. 5 singles in three sets, falling 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.

NIU junior Iker Dellien Velasco lost straight sets to Bronco sophomore Matej Kajzer, falling in 6-4, 6-2 sets. 

This was the Huskies’ final match of the season, ending Mid-American Conference play with a 1-9 record.