CHICAGO – The Northern Illinois University men's tennis team dropped a narrow, 4-3, decision to DePaul on Friday night (March 6) at Lakeshore Sport and Fitness.

"Tough loss, we put ourselves in position in both doubles and singles we couldn't get it," said NIU head coach Patrick Fisher. "DePaul is a good team and our schedule is crazy tough, we want to play the best all the time. It doesn't get easier spring trip will be tough."

Sophomore Mikko Malinen and junior Victor Spolidorio earned a victory at number one doubles, 6-4, but the Huskies dropped the point when the Blue Demons claimed the match at number three, 7-6. 

Four of the six singles matches went to three sets as very little separated the Huskies and Blue Demons. NIU scored all three of its wins in three sets as senior Bor Schweiger Muzar was a 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 winner at number one, Malinen was victorious at number four, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and Spolidorio scored a 1-6, 6-1, 6-2 triumph at number five. 

NIU will now head south for a pair of matches over spring break, visiting New Orleans on Tuesday, March 10, before meeting Nicholls State on Wednesday, March 11. Hu

DePaul 4, NIU 3

Singles
1. Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) def. Vito Tonejc (DePaul) 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-4
2. Boris Spanjaard (DePaul) def. David Pata (NIU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
3. Christopher Casati (DePaul) def. Shao-Yu Yu (NIU) 6-0, 6-1
4. Mikko Malinen (NIU) def. Luuk Wassenaar (DePaul) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
5. Victor Spolidorio (NIU) def. Tripp Tuff (DePaul) 1-6, 6-1, 6-2
6. Fran Tonejc (DePaul) def. Mikael Vollbach (NIU) 7-6(5), 6-3
 
Doubles
1. Mikko Malinen/Victor Spolidorio (NIU) def. Christopher Casati/Boris Spanjaard (DePaul) 6-4
2. Vito Tonejc/Fran Tonejc (DePaul) def. David Pata/Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) 6-0
3. Luuk Wassenaar/Tripp Tuff (DePaul) def. Mikael Vollbach/Shao-Yu Yu (NIU) 7-6