Victories were few and far between for NIU’s tennis squads this weekend:

‘NIU’s women’s tennis team had a rough time of it in Iowa City, Iowa, as the Huskies lost both matches they played.

NIU lost to host Iowa on Friday 9-0 then battled to a 5-3 defeat to Nebraska on Saturday.

Against Iowa, the Huskies ran into a buzz saw, said NIU coach Patty Groth-Newbrough. “It was one of those days where they hit every line.”

The Huskies played much better against Nebraska, Groth-Newbrough said. “Really we should have won 5-4.”

Jami Cheek led the way against Nebraska, winning 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. Brenda Bowen rolled through her opponent 6-3, 6-2, and Svetlana Nedeljkovic staged a big turnaround in her match, winning 0-6, 6-4, 6-2.

‘While the women were struggling in Iowa City, the NIU men had similar challenges in Lincoln, Neb., at the University of Nebraska Cornhusker Tennis Tournament.

The field included the likes of NCAA qualifier Drake University, as well as the host Cornhuskers, whose lineup includes two of the top 50 players in the country.

Marty Engel stole the spotlight for the Huskies. The sophomore captured third place in the No. 1 singles flight.

Engel then teamed with freshman Andy Caldwell to finish second at No. 2 doubles, losing 6-4, 6-3 in the final.

On the singles side, Caldwell finished fourth at No. 3, while Peter Berka matched that performance at No. 4. Matt Green captured two of his three matches in the No. 7 and 8 pool, while freshman David Subrt won his only two matches.