Gallery: Men’s tennis claims win over Buffalo, Women’s sparks losing streak

Women’s tennis claimed their second lost of their season, losing 5-2 to University at Buffalo.

NIU men’s tennis senior Federico Scotuzzi celebrates after scoring in his singles match against University at Buffalo junior Minjae Kim on Thursday in the Chick Evans Field House. NIU won the match 4-3 despite losing both doubles matches. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star)

By Aidan Penca, Photojournalist

Mar 23, 2026

Men’s Tennis vs. Buffalo

NIU men’s tennis senior Federico Scotuzzi focuses on the ball before returning a groundstroke to University at Buffalo junior Minjae Kim during their singles match on Thursday in the Chick Evans Field House. Scotuzzi won his match after being forced to a third set. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

NIU men’s tennis sophomore Nikola Puntaric prepares a backhand groundstroke to University at Buffalo senior Theodoros Mitsakos during their singles match on Thursday in the Chick Evans Field House. NIU’s record improved to 12-5 with the 4-3 win. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

NIU men’s tennis sophomore Nikola Puntaric hits a groundstroke back during his singles match against University at Buffalo senior Theodoros Mitsakos on Thursday in the Chick Evans Field House. Scotuzzi secured the fourth win for NIU. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

NIU men’s tennis senior Iker Gaztambide Arrastia returns a volley back to University at Buffalo graduate student Clement Mainguy during their singles match on Thursday in the Chick Evans Field House. Gaztambide Arrastia was able to earn NIU’s first point after winning his match in two sets. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

NIU men’s tennis sophomore Pratyaksh LNU volleys back to University at Buffalo senior Emiliano Jorquera during their singles match on Thursday in the Chick Evans Field House. LNU lost the match after two sets. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

NIU men’s tennis senior Iker Dellien Velasco returns a midair volley in this singles match against University at Buffalo senior Faiz Nasyam on Thursday in the Chick Evans Field House. Velasco lost the set despite being able to force a third set. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

Women’s Tennis vs. Buffalo

NIU women’s tennis sophomore Irmak Budak prepares a rally back to University at Buffalo graduate student Esmee Andresen in their singles match on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. Budak lost her match despite being able to force a third set. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

NIU women’s tennis sophomore Lucia Yecora focuses on the ball before returning it back to University at Buffalo sophomore Maria Glowacka in their singles match on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. Yecora lost after taking the match to a third set. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

NIU women’s tennis sophomore Theodora Kousiou returns a volley in her singles match against University at Buffalo junior Julia Laspro on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. Kousiou was able to secure the first of two wins for NIU. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

NIU women’s tennis sophomore Theodora Kousiou returns a groundstroke back to University at Buffalo junior Julia Laspro during their singles match on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. This loss marks NIU’s 18th loss against Buffalo overall. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

NIU women’s tennis sophomore Lucia Yecora celebrates after being able to score against University at Buffalo sophomore Maria Glowacka in their singles match on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. This is the fifth loss of the season for NIU, dropping its record to 15-5. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

NIU women’s tennis senior Nataly Ninova prepares a return to University at Buffalo sophomore Sarah Hartel in their singles match on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. Ninova lost after a close second set went into a tiebreaking set. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

NIU women’s tennis senior Jenna Horne serves against University at Buffalo sophomore Liv Roestel in their singles match on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. Horne secured the second point for NIU despite losing the first set 5-7. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

NIU women’s tennis freshman Rebeca Garcia Miralles is able to hit the ball back in her singles match against University at Buffalo sophomore Blanca Berges on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. This match marks the first time that NIU has lost back-to-back games this season. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)

About the Contributor

Aidan Penca, Assistant Photo Editor

Aidan Penca is a sophomore from Fulton, Illinois, majoring in electrical engineering. Outside of the Star, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, writing and listening to rock and indie music.