Feb. 13, 2011

Final Results

ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Northern Illinois men's tennis team wrapped up its three-match weekend with a 6-1 defeat to Illinois State on Sunday evening at the Boylan Tennis Center. Maximilian Phillips earned the lone victory of the day for the Huskies.

"In doubles we were just overmatched and that has been our Achilles heel early on this season," said NIU head coach Patrick Fisher. "We have to find a way to get better in that area. That was a very good Illinois State team, probably the best team they have had in many years."

The Redbirds took all three doubles matches. At first doubles, Maksym Bartiuk and Maksym Lagutin were even through eight games, 4-4, with Illinois State's Alexander Pelaez and Timon Reichelt, but the Redbird duo took the final four games to win 8-4.

In singles action, Northern Illinois (2-5) fell behind early, but began to turn the tide in the second set of most matches.

"For a time during the singles we were in the match," said Fisher. "Axel (Langerlof) had broken serve, Roman (Turtygin) was very close and we were in the matches on (courts) five and six, even though we only one won of them. I think with our young guys that is part of teaching them that, even when you are down, the match is never over."

Phillips earned a victory for the Huskies at number six, winning 6-4, 6-4 over Mya Smith-Dennis. Lagutin went three sets in flight five, dropping the first set 6-2 to ISU's Skip Span before rebounding to take set two, 6-1, before falling 6-3 in the decisive third set.

"We have a lot to work on," said Fisher. "But I am encouraged with where we are going and we are improving, particularly in singles, we just have work on getting better in doubles."

The Huskies return to action next Saturday, Feb. 19, when they travel to Evanston, Ill., to face Northwestern at 10 a.m.