Gallery: NIU sweeps the Flames, remains No. 1 in MAC

NIU is now 5-1 in the Mid-American Conference and 15-5

NIU men’s tennis sophomore Chiao Bo Suo Nan lunges towards the ball during his singles match against the University of Illinois Chicago sophomore Emil Dapcevic on Saturday in the Chick Evans Field House. Suo Nan defeated Dapcevic 6-3 and 6-2. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star)

By Sanaa Scott, Photojournalist

Mar 31, 2026

NIU men’s tennis senior Iker Gaztambide Arrastia slides to regain balance after returning a drop shot in his singles match against University of Illinois Chicago sophomore Eldin Nokic on Saturday in the Chick Evans Field House. Gaztambide Arrastia defeated his opponent 6-4 in both sets. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)

NIU men’s tennis sophomore Gustavo Juarez Lopez gives pointers to doubles team senior Iker Dellien Velasco and sophomore Chiao Bo Suo Nan after struggling in the first games against the University of Illinois Chicago junior Artem Alekseychuk and junior Mihailo Savicon on Saturday in the Chick Evans Field House. Velasco and Suo Nan were named Mid-American Conference doubles team of the week on March 23. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)

NIU men’s tennis senior Federico Scotuzzi celebrates after an ace in his singles match against the University of Illinois Chicago sophomore Simon Knezevic on Saturday in the Chick Evans Field House. The Huskies defeated the Flames in a 7-0 sweep. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)

NIU men’s tennis senior Iker Dellien Velasco follows through during his singles match against the University of Illinois Chicago freshman Henrique Sa on Saturday in the Chick Evans Field House. The Huskies’ next Mid-American Conference match is at 1 p.m. Thursday at the University at Buffalo. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)

NIU men’s tennis senior Iker Dellien Velasco (left) and sophomore Chiao Bo Suo Nan stare down their doubles opponents junior Artem Alekseychuk and junior Mihailo Savicon in the Huskies’ match against the University of Illinois Chicago on Saturday in the Chick Evans Field House. Velasco and Suo Nan fell short in their doubles match, ending 4-6. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)

NIU men’s tennis sophomore Nikola Puntaric (left) and senior Iker Gaztambide Arrastia (right) are congratulated by head coach René Vidal after a doubles match against the University of Illinois on Saturday in the Chick Evans Field House. The Huskies are 12-5 against the Flames. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)

NIU men’s tennis sophomore Nikola Puntaric ducks close to the ground during his doubles match with senior Iker Gaztambide Arrastia against the University of Illinois Chicago sophomore Eldin Nokic and freshman Henrique Sa. Puntaric and Gaztambide Arrastia sealed the win 7-5. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)

NIU men’s tennis sophomore Lorenzo Leti Messina serves in his singles match against the University of Illinois Chicago junior Mihailo Savic on Saturday in the Chick Evans Field House. Messina won his singles match in a clean sweep, in 6-2 and 6-4 wins. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)

NIU men’s tennis sophomore Lorenzo Leti Messina lunges to make the return during his doubles with senior Federico Scotuzzi against the University of Illinois Chicago sophomore
Simon Knezevic and Emil Dapcevic on Saturday in the Chick Evans Field House. Messina and Scotuzzi sealed their doubles match 6-2. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)

NIU men’s tennis senior Federico Scotuzzi tracks down the offensive lob against the University of Illinois Chicago sophomore Simon Knezevic on Saturday in the Chick Evans Field House. Scotuzzi secured a strong victory, defeating his opponent 6-1 and 6-4. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)

NIU men’s tennis senior Iker Dellien Velasco prepares to serve in his singles match against the University of Illinois Chicago freshman Henrique Sa on Saturday in the Chick Evans Field House. Velasco sealed the Huskie win in the final match, winning 7-5 and 6-4. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)

NIU Men's Tennis

About the Contributor

Sanaa Scott, Photojournalist