AURORA, Ill. – Sophomores Tom Hjertonsson (Gothenburg, Sweden/Akademi Båstad Gymnasium) and Georg Lundkvist (Linkoping, Sweden/Lindkopings Kommun) each moved to 4-0 in singles play this year, but the Northern Illinois University men’s tennis team fell to UIC, 4-3, on Friday afternoon at Vaughn Tennis Center.

“This was a tough loss for us today,” said NIU head coach Patrick Fisher. “We didn't do enough to win. I think the most important thing for our team right now is to get healthy, I have never seen us start out with so many not healthy.”

UIC took the doubles point with a 6-4 win at number one by Christopher Cole and Mitch Granger over sophomore Kevin Daun (Vasteras, Sweden/Widenska Gymnasiet Idrottscollege) and Lundkvist as well as a 6-3 win at number two from Carl Hedstrom and Marcelo Dib over junior Carlos Manzanas (Madrid, Spain/IES Principe Felipe) and Hjertonsson.

In singles play, NIU (2-2) collected wins from Hjertonsson and Lundkvist at two and three, respectively. Hjertonsson defeated Andy Page, 7-6, 6-4, for his fourth victory of the season while Lundkvist needed a 10-point third set to remain perfect in singles play, 2-6, 6-4, 10-3, over Granger.

The Huskies also picked up a win at number five as Daun was a 6-3, 6-3 winner over Max Cederkall, but UIC took the points at number one, four and six to earn the victory.

NIU returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 30, when they host Eastern Illinois at Chick Evans Field House at 1 p.m.


UIC 4, NIU 3

Doubles
1. Christopher Cole/Mitch Granger (UIC) def. Kevin Daun/Georg Lundkvist (NIU), 6-4
2. Carl Hedstrom/Marcelo Dib (UIC) def. Carlos Manzanas/Tom Hjertonsson (NIU), 6-3
3. Erich Schuette/Austin Russell (NIU) vs. Andy Page/Nate Campanile (UIC), 4-5, DNF

Singles
1. Carl Hedstrom (UIC) def. Carlos Manzanas (NIU), 6-2, 6-4
2. Tom Hjertonsson (NIU) def. Andy Page (UIC), 7-6, 6-4
3. Georg Lundkvist (NIU) def. Mitch Granger (UIC), 2-6, 6-4, 10-3
4. Christopher Cole (UIC) def. Austin Russell (NIU), 6-2, 6-1
5. Kevin Daun (NIU) def. Max Cederkall (UIC), 6-3, 6-3
6. Marcelo Dib (UIC) def. Erich Schuette (NIU), 6-3, 6-2