NIU men’s tennis (8-2) picked up a commanding 6-1 victory against Chicago State University (1-9) on the road Saturday in Homewood, winning six of the last seven games. The Huskies dominated in doubles, holding the Cougars to three games before taking the winning point at No. 5 singles.
“Our energy and execution was great from start to finish,” said NIU men’s tennis head coach René Vidal. “Especially Chiao Bo (Sou Nan), he did a great job finishing off his opponent quickly and executing the fundamentals.”
DOUBLES
At. No. 1 doubles, Iker Gaztambide Arrastia and sophomore Nikola Puntaric swept freshman Justin Atkins and sophomore Joao Teixeira 6-0 to bring their record to 6-2 on the season.
Senior Iker Dellien Velasco and sophomore Chiao Bo Suo Nan followed up with a 6-1 result over sophomore Chad Valdes and freshman Andrew Kunaka to lock up the doubles point.
No. 3 doubles was left unfinished with senior Federico Scotuzzi and sophomore Lorenzo Leti Messina on the verge of winning, leading 5-3 advantage over freshman Yurii Hoida and senior Reed Gahagan.
SINGLES
Suo Nan shined in No. 6 singles, handing out a 6-1 first set before closing out Atkins 6-2 in the second set to double NIU’s lead. Puntaric dispatched Hoida in similar fashion, 6-2, 6-1 at top court.
At No. 5 singles, Dellien comfortably secured the Huskies’ victory after winning 6-2 in both sets against Gahagan.
Scotuzzi fell 6-4, 7-5 in a competitive duel against Teixeira at No. 3, preventing the Huskies’ sweep.
Leti Messina and sophomore Pratyaksh LNU rounded out NIU’s points after taking down Valdes 6-4, 6-4 and Kunaka 6-2 in both sets, respectively.
UP NEXT
Men’s tennis returns home to host Grinnell College at 11 a.m. Sunday in Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House.
“Grinnell is a highly competitive division three team so we have to make sure that we’re ready, “ Vidal said.
