hiring ad
Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Puntaric claims MAC Player of the Week

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 on March 28. Puntaric was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week after a 2-0 weekend at No. 1 singles. (Northern Star file photo)
By Abel Naranjo, Sports Reporter
Apr 7, 2026

NIU men’s tennis sophomore Nikola Puntaric earned Mid-American Conference Singles Player of the Week on Monday after an undefeated singles week in conference play versus University at Buffalo and University of Toledo. 

Puntaric earned his second award and eighth total for the Huskies this season, who lead the conference. 

In Thursday’s 5-2 loss to Buffalo, Puntaric salvaged one of two Huskies’ points with a 6-3, 6-1 win against Theodoros Mitsakos to keep NIU within the top three in MAC. 

The Slovenian helped the Huskies reach the MAC tournament by capturing the winning point during Saturday’s 6-1 win over Toledo, besting Hanamichi Carvajal in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 (7-3). 

Puntaric rides a three-match unbeaten streak at top court and boasts a 16-2 singles record.

NIU men’s tennis (16-6, 6-2 MAC) hosts Western Michigan University (13-9, 6-2 MAC) at 1 p.m. Thursday at Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House.

Tags:
About the Contributor
Abel Naranjo
Abel Naranjo, Sports Reporter
Abel Naranjo is a junior from Albany Park, Illinois, majoring in journalism and double minoring in environmental studies and sports journalism. He joined the Northern Star in 2024 as a news reporter with goals of being a sports analyst/broadcaster after graduation. As a recent transfer student, he is excited to learn about his new community at NIU. He also enjoys cooking, discovering new music, playing soccer and baseball in his free time.
More to Discover
More about Mid-American Conference
NIU senior catcher Rylie Hartman (13) hits a double during the first game of a doubleheader against Kent State University on Saturday at Mary M. Bell Field in DeKalb. Hartman had a .625 batting average with 10 hits across the Huskies' two Mid-American Conference series against Ball State University and Kent State. (Eric McGill | Northern Star)
Rylie Hartman named MAC Softball Player of the Week
NIU men’s tennis seniors Iker Gaztambide Arrastia and Federico Scotuzzi compete in their doubles match against Illinois State University on Jan. 24. The duo was named the Mid-American Conference Doubles Team of the Week on Monday, while Gaztambide Arrastia was named the Singles Player of the Week. (Northern Star file photo)
Arrastia, Scotuzzi sweep weekly MAC honors
NIU softball graduate pitcher Madison Carlson strikes out University of Massachusetts Amherst senior outfielder Riain Keefe to lead off the game on Friday at Mary M. Bell Field. Carlson was named the Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Week after pitching 10.1 innings and striking out ten in the Huskies’ series win over UMass. (Eric McGill | Northern Star)
Carlson snags MAC weekly honors after strong UMass series
More about Nikola Puntaric
NIU men’s tennis senior Iker Gaztambide Arrastia reaches for the ball during his singles match against the University of Toledo on March 21. Gaztamide Arrastia was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year on Tuesday. (Totus Tuus Keely| Northern Star)
Arrastia nabs MAC Player of the Year
NIU men’s tennis sophomore Pratyaksh LNU volleys back to University at Buffalo senior Emiliano Jorquera during their singles match on March 19. NIU advanced to the Mid-American Conference championship match with a 4-3 win over Western Michigan University on Saturday. (Northern Star file photo)
Men’s tennis advances to MAC championship match
Members of the NIU men’s tennis team rally together before their match against Indiana University Indianapolis on Jan. 23. The Huskies defeated Ball State University in a 4-1 match on Saturday to round out the regular season. (Northern Star file photo)
Men’s tennis ends regular season with victory over Ball State
More about NIU Men's Tennis
NIU men’s tennis sophomore Pratyaksh LNU prepares to serve the ball during his singles match against University at Toledo senior Matias Olivero on April 4. The Huskies lost to the University at Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference title match, falling 4-0 to the Bulls. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Men’s Tennis falls to Buffalo in MAC Championship
A graphic depicts NIU men’s tennis sophomore Pratyaksh LNU as this week’s Huskie of the Week. LNU won his match at No. 6 singles on Saturday to send NIU to the Mid-American Conference championship match on Sunday. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)
Huskie of the Week: LNU leads Huskies to championship
NIU men’s tennis sophomore Pratyaksh LNU prepares to serve during his singles match against Southern University on February 13. The Huskies fell to third place in the Mid-American Conference with a 5-2 loss to Western Michigan University on Thursday. (Northern Star file photo)
Men’s tennis falls to Western Michigan, drops to 3rd in MAC

Sign In

Forgot password?

Register

Reset Password

Please enter your username or email address, you will receive a link to create a new password via email.