OMAHA, Neb. – The Northern Illinois University men's tennis team earned its first two wins of the dual match season on Friday as the Huskies defeated Creighton, 4-3, in the afternoon before closing the day with a 6-1 evening victory over North Dakota. 

With the two victories, the Huskies evened their record to 2-2 on the season. Despite the wins, NIU head coach Patrick Fisher still saw room for improvement. 

"I thought we struggled today which was surprising because we had an awesome week of practice leading up to this weekend," said Fisher. "Our energy in doubles is nowhere near where it needs to be and it's disappointing. But we found a way to get four points against Creighton and, ultimately, that's what matters most, getting four points. Tomorrow will be a big test; Omaha is very good, they are coming off a big win against Nebraska last week so we know they will be playing with a ton of confidence."

After dropping all three matches in doubles to fall behind, 1-0. The Huskies earned wins at one, four, five and six in singles to earn their first win of the season against Creighton.

Senior Carlos Manzanas (Madrid, Spain/IES Principe Felipe) earned the first win as he defeated Daniel Lopez-Rey, 6-0, 6-4, at number five. NIU then moved in front with a win from junior Georg Lundkvist (Linkoping, Sweden/Lindkopings Kommun) at number one. The junior from Sweden claimed a 7-6, 7-3 decision over Harrison Lang as NIU took a 2-1 lead. 

Creighton won the next match to finish at number two before wins at six and four clinched the match for the Huskies. Junior Louis-Philippe Hamel (Drummondville, Quebec, Canada) was a 6-3, 7-6 winner over Jake Glazer at number six and junior Tom Hjertonsson (Gothenburg, Sweden/Akademi Båstad Gymnasium) was victorious in three sets, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, over Aaron Chalstrom at number four. 

In the evening encounter with North Dakota, NIU swept the doubles matches to open with a 1-0 lead. NIU earned 6-2 wins at both one and three, as well as a 6-4 victory at number two. 

The Huskies claimed singles victories at two through six against the Fighting Hawks, taking all five matches in straight sets. Senior Eric Marbach (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsie Valley/University of Denver) and freshman Bor Schweiger Muzar (Crnomelj, Slovenia/Gimnm) each dropped just three games en route to victories at two and three. Sophomore Erich Schuette (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Ignatius) dropped just four games at number six with Hjertonsson was a 6-4, 6-3 winner at four and Manzanas earned a 6-3, 6-2 win at number five. 

NIU will close its trip to Omaha, Neb., on Saturday, Jan. 28, when the Huskies meet the Mavericks of UNO at noon. 


NIU 4, Creighton 3
Singles
1. Georg Lundkvist (NIU) def. Harrison Lang (CU) 7-6, 6-3
2. Armando Gandini (CU) def. Eric Marbach (NIU) 6-3, 7-6
3. Alex Koca (CU) def. Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
4. Tom Hjertonsson (NIU) def. Aaron Chalstrom (CU) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
5. Carlos Manzanas (NIU) def. Daniel Lopez-Rey (CU) 6-0, 6-4
6. Louis-Philippe Hamel (NIU) def. Jake Glazer (CU) 6-3, 7-6

Doubles
1. Daniel Lopez-Rey/Harrison Lang (CU) def. Eric Marbach/Georg Lundkvist (NIU) 6-1
2. Aaron Chalstrom/Armando Gandini (CU) def. Bor Schweiger Muzar/Carlos Manzanas (NIU) 6-2
3. Alex Koca/Mac Mease (CU) def. Louis-Philippe Hamel/Tom Hjertonsson (NIU) 6-4


NIU 6, North Dakota 1
Singles 
1. Britton, Dustin (UND) def. Georg Lundkvist (NIU) 4-6, 6-2, 10-5
2. Eric Marbach (NIU) def. Mailes, Alex (UND) 6-1, 6-2
3. Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) def. Misialek, Ty (UND) 6-2, 6-1
4. Tom Hjertonsson (NIU) def. Lau, Travis (UND) 6-4, 6-3
5. Carlos Manzanas (NIU) def. Danyluk, Simon (UND) 6-3, 6-2
6. Erich Schuette (NIU) def. Varma, Eshan (UND) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles 
1. Eric Marbach/Georg Lundkvist (NIU) def. Lau, Travis/Britton, Dustin (UND) 6-2
2. Bor Schweiger Muzar/Tom Hjertonsson (NIU) def. Misialek, Ty/Mailes, Alex (UND) 6-4
3. Erich Schuette/Carlos Manzanas (NIU) def. Danyluk, Simon/Hokanson, Matt (UND) 6-2