MUNCIE, Ind. – Four singles matches went to three sets, but Western Michigan won all four as the Broncos defeated the Northern Illinois University men's tennis team, 7-0, on Saturday afternoon in NIU's Mid-American Conference opener.

In doubles, Western Michigan won the first match to finish before at number two before freshman Mikko Malinen (Malmo, Sweden) and sophomore Victor Spolidorio (Peoria, Ill./Dunlap) earned a win at number two, 6-2, over Jannik Opitz and Kennosuke Nouchi. Western Michigan clinched the point however as Lenhard Haupt and Nick Schnobel earned a victory at number three, 7-5. 

The Broncos claimed their second and third points with singles wins at number five and six. The final four matches all went the distance, but Western Michigan was able to win all four to complete the sweep.

Jack Randall topped junior Bor Schweiger Muzar (Crnomelj, Slovenia/Gimnm) at number three, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Peter Kuszynski bettered Malinen, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 at number four. Opitz outlasted senior Eric Marbach (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsie Valley), 3-6, 6-2, 7-6, at number one, and Matej Svjetlicic earned a 6-4, 6-7, 7-5, victory over freshman David Pata (Bucharest, Romania/Emil Racovita) at number two. 

The setback drops the Huskies to 8-8 on the season while Western Michigan improved to 10-8. The Huskies will return to the courts on Sunday, March 17, at Ball State. 

Western Michigan 7, NIU 0

Singles 
1. Jannik Opitz (WMU) def. Eric Marbach (NIU) 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8-6)
2. Matej Svjetlicic (WMU) def. David Pata (NIU) 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5
3. Jack Randall (WMU) def. Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
4. Peter Kuszynski (WMU) def. Mikko Malinen (NIU) 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
5. Nick Schnobel (WMU) def. Victor Spolidorio (NIU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Kennosuke Nouchi (WMU) def. Erich Schuette (NIU) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles 
1. Mikko Malinen/Victor Spolidorio (NIU) def. Peter Kuszynski/Jack Randall (WMU) 6-3
2. Jannik Opitz/Kennosuke Nouchi (WMU) def. David Pata/Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) 6-2
3. Lenhard Haupt/Nick Schnobel (WMU) def. Eric Marbach/Erich Schuette (NIU) 7-5