April 17, 2011 
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Northern Illinois men's tennis team suffered a narrow 4-3 loss to Cleveland State on Sunday at the Paramont Tennis Club. The Huskies were able to take the doubles point and the top two singles matches against the Horizon League championship, but were unable to get a victory in the final four singles flights.
“I thought we were in pretty good shape going into singles,” said NIU head coach Patrick Fisher. “But Cleveland State deserves credit; they won the first set in five of the singles matches to turn the momentum back their way. It’s tough to get that close and not find a way to win, but Cleveland State has won their conference the last couple of years and they are a very good team.”
NIU jumped out to a lead by taking the doubles point with two match wins. Axel Lagerlof and Roman Turtygin upended Yannick Goossens and Chris Klepatz at number one, 9-8. Maksym Bariuk and Maksym Lagutin were also victorious to help the Huskies clinch the point, the duo defeated Matt Ford and Matt Kuelker at number two, 8-6.
Lagerlof then scored a straight-set win, 6-4, 6-2, over Kuelker at number two singles. Bariuk was also victorious, taking a three-set win over Goossens. Bariuk dropped the first set, 2-6, before rebounding to win the second set, 6-3, and the third set, 6-4.
Cleveland State was able to win in straight sets at singles flights three through six to earn four points and the match victory. Turtygin nearly forced a third set at number three, but fell 7-6 after dropping the first set to Klepatz, 6-3.
The Huskies will conclude the regular season next Sunday, April 24, as they travel to Buffalo. The match against the Bulls is slated to begin at 1 p.m. CT.
Cleveland State 4, Northern Illinois 3
Doubles
1. Axel Lagerlof/ Roman Turtygin (NIU) def. Yannick Goossens/ Chris Klepatz (CSU) 9-8
2. Maksym Bariuk/ Maksym Lagutin (NIU) def. Matt Ford/ Matt Kuelker (CSU) 8-6
3. John Haley/ Aris Spirtos (CSU) def. Tyler Stephens/Bryant Poggensee-Wei (NIU) 8-3
Singles
1. Maksym Bariuk (NIU) def. Yannick Goossens (CSU) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
2. Axel Lagerlof (NIU) def. Matt Kuelker (CSU) 6-4, 6-2
3. Chris Klepatz (CSU) def. Roman Turtygin (NIU) 6-3, 7-6
4. John Haley (CSU) def. Maksym Lagutin (NIU) 6-3, 6-0
5. Matt Ford (CSU) def. Bryant Poggensee-Wei (NIU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Jay Jones (CSU) def. Tyler Stephens (NIU) 6-4, 6-1
