When a team is losing, but playing well, there is no need to change things.

This was the philosophy of NIU men’s tennis coach Carl Neufeld for the weekend when the players did not place in the University of Kentucky Fall Invitational Friday and Saturday.

But the team turned the tables on the way home making a roadstop at the University of Cincinnati for a dual meet, where they swept UC 7-0, despite a couple of Huskie injuries.

NIU had to work around previously twisted knees and sprained wrists, but an additional injury was pawned upon the Huskies when Tim Halligan was forced to forfeit his singles consolation match after breaking a bone in his foot.

“We played really well this weekend considering the competition,” Neufeld said. “It would be easy to use injuries as an excuse for not winning—I’m happy with the way the team has responded.”

One key victory in the tournament came from Kelly Holt who defeated his Evansville opponent 6-3, 6-2, and his Austin Peay State opponent 6-4, 6-0, before bowing to Ball State competition 6-1, 7-5, in Flight B singles.

Another key victory in the tourney came from Steve Wiere, who defeated his Virginia Tech opponent 7-5, 6-3, before losing 6-3, 6-4, to his opponent from North Greenville JC in flight A singles.

“Kelly and Steve were prime examples this weekend of players reaching new levels of their game,” Neufeld said. “Kelly is so psychologically tough on the court that he has become an asset. I’m glad to see him achieve the level he has.”

Capturing the first three seed wins in the singles matches against UC were No. 1 Wiere with a 7-6, 6-1 win, No. 2 Erik Andersch, with a 6-2, 6-1 defeat, and Emil Bijleveld with a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 3.

Holt was victorious at No. 4 with a 6-1, 6-1 win, and Randy Panagopoulos beat his No. 5 opponent 6-0, 6-3.

In doubles action, Wiere-Andersch went 6-4, 7-6 for the win at No. 1, and Bijleveld-Holt defeated their No. 2 opponents 6-4, 6-1.

“We didn’t catch any breaks this weekend,” Neufeld said. “Competing in these tournaments gives the guys a chance to measure themselves and find out where they need to go.”