The NIU men’s tennis team handed Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne a first-round defeat for the second straight year Thursday and advanced to the second round of the MAC championships in Muncie, Ind.

The No. 3 seed Huskies (17-5 overall, 3-2 MAC) kept the pursuit of their first MAC title alive with a 4-0 sweep over No. 6 seed IPFW (7-16, 0-5).

With the victory, NIU sets itself up for a rematch of last year’s MAC final against No. 2 seed Ball State (12-12, 4-1).

“We want to beat them really bad,” senior Aaron Forsberg said. “We got to take their fans out of the game. They beat us in the final last year at our home, so it’s time to return the favor.”

The Huskies clinched the opening doubles point with 8-1 and 8-0 victories at No. 1 and 2 doubles. Wins from Jack Komar, Forsberg and Stephen Guntly at No. 4, 5 and 6 singles completed the victory before it started raining.

“Our focus was very good today,” NIU coach Pontus Hiort said. “Our players are really ready for Ball State. If we really raise our doubles play, we can win.”

The Huskies will face the Cardinals at 2 p.m. today. The winner will advance to the championship match.

In Thursday’s second match, No. 4 seed Buffalo defeated No. 5 seed Toledo 4-1. Buffalo’s next match will be against No. 1 seed Western Michigan (17-6, 5-0) today to determine which will face either NIU or Ball State in the final.