NIU men’s tennis: Huskies upset by Buffalo in MAC Championship tournament semifinals

Then+sophomore+Simon+Formont+hits+a+ball+back+against+Toledo+April+12%2C+2014%2C+in+DeKalb.%C2%A0Men%E2%80%99s+tennis+%285-3%29+played+three+games+over+the+weekend%2C+starting+with+a+4-3+loss+to+Southern+Illinois+University+on+Friday+but+moving+on+to+finish+the+weekend+2-1+with+wins+against+Chicago+State+University+on+Friday+and+Saint+Louis+University+on+Saturday.

Then sophomore Simon Formont hits a ball back against Toledo April 12, 2014, in DeKalb. Men’s tennis (5-3) played three games over the weekend, starting with a 4-3 loss to Southern Illinois University on Friday but moving on to finish the weekend 2-1 with wins against Chicago State University on Friday and Saint Louis University on Saturday.

By Patrick Smith

Men’s tennis’ season came to an end as it was knocked off by the Buffalo Bulls in the MAC Championship semifinals this weekend.

The Huskies (18-6, 4-1 MAC) were the No. 1 seed going into the tournament, but they failed to win the MAC title, losing 4-2 to the No. 4 Bulls on Friday at the West Tennis Courts. Buffalo went on to beat No. 3 Binghamton, 4-2, Saturday to win the MAC title.

“Buffalo earned today’s victory,” said head coach Patrick Fisher. “We didn’t capitalize on some opportunities, but it’s hard to pinpoint one mistake. They were simply just better than us today.”

The Huskies were unable to carry the momentum from beating Buffalo 5-2 April 19 in Buffalo, N.Y., in the regular season finale over to the postseason.

“We believed that we could win every match,” said senior Frederic Cadieux. “We fought hard today, but Buffalo played better and avenged their loss.”

The Huskies were disappointed that they didn’t win the postseason championship, especially with winning their second regular season championship in a row and being the No. 1 seed.

“The expectation every year is to win the MAC tournament,” Fisher said. “It’s not just to get to the tournament, but to win two championships. The program’s expectations is to be regular season and tournament champions.”

Though the Huskies are upset about the early exit, Fisher said the 2015 season still should be recognized as a good one.

“We won back-to-back MAC regular season championships,” Fisher said. “We didn’t have to share it with anyone; we were outright regular season champs.

“Yes, we did overachieve. When you have three of [your] top four players leave from last season and replace them with freshmen it’s hard. We have a great program. We’re not just a one-hit wonder. We won three of the last four regular season MAC titles and lost in the MAC conference championship in 2013.”