Taking 13 of 17 matches this weekend, the NIU men’s tennis team improved its record to 10-3 with wins over Illinois State (4-7) and Valparaiso (2-10).

On Friday against ISU, the Huskies squeaked by with a 4-3 win when Erick Martinez won the last match of the day, taking home the No. 3 singles, 7-5, 6-7, 7-3.

Junior Willy Gali took home the No. 1 slot, giving him 20 wins in 23 matches this season.

“It was good to come back like that after losing the doubles point,” NIU coach Pontus Hiort said.

NIU remained undefeated (5-0 ) at home, sweeping all seven matches from Valpo on Saturday.

Softball loses pair

Losses to Oakland and Ohio State University dropped the team to 7-16 on Saturday at the Buckeye Classic in Columbus, Ohio.

The Huskies lost 2-0 in the first game against Oakland, with Kathy Dearborn’s record slipping to 3-5 on the season.

“Kathy [Dearborn] has pitched really well of late,” NIU coach Donna Martin said. “She has been putting us in position to win ballgames. Now we just need to start getting her some run support.”

In the nightcap, the Buckeyes stood firm on their home turf, beating NIU 11-3 in five innings.