Even though the field was more competitive and much-improved, the end result was still the same. The NIU men’s tennis team proved to be the top squad again.

In this case it was the Bowling Green State University Fall Invitational Tournament featuring eight schools from around the midwest.

NIU entries won three of six singles flights and one of three doubles rackets for four titles. Host Bowling Green and Michigan State University both claimed two flight blue ribbons while Western Michigan University had one.

“Although there isn’t an official team champion based on points, with four champions, a second place, a third place, a fourth place and two fifth-places, we certainly held our own. I thought everybody gave a fantastic effort,” NIU coach Chuck Merzbacher said.

Topping the Huskie honor list were singles winners Greg O’Neil, Erik Andersch and David Settelmyer. O’Neil won all three of his matches in two sets_ although his first two contests involved at least one tiebreaker_ including a 6-4, 6-3 championship win over WMU’s Carl DeBeer in the N0. 2 singles flight.

At No. 4 singles, Andersch was a dominant 6-4, 6-0 winner over WMU’s Brent Dickman while Settelmyer claimed the No. six crown beating BGSU’s Jay Alder, 6-3, 6-1. Dustin Dobrin took third place in the No. 3 singles draw.

In doubles, Mats Persson and Dobrin combined for a No. 2 doubles title.