DES MOINES, Iowa – The Northern Illinois University men's tennis team improved to 7-0 as the Huskies outlasted Drake, 4-3, on Saturday night (Feb. 20). NIU won the doubles point and rallied from down a set in two of its three points in singles to remain perfect on the season. 

"What a game," said NIU head coach Patrick Fisher. "Both teams slugged it out tonight and we came out on top. I'm really proud of our guys, they fought so hard tonight and they earned it. Hopefully we will have an opportunity to play next week, we're one week at time these days."

NIU claimed the doubles point to open the match as Bor Schweiger Muzar and Mikael Vollbach earned a 6-4 victory playing at number two and Kristopher Ortega and Oliver Valentinsson paired for a 6-2 win at number three. 

Ortega gave the Huskies their second point as he was first to finish in singles, taking out Matija Metic, 6-2, 6-2, at number three. Wins for Drake at number two and four followed as the Bulldogs evened the contest, 2-2. 

Valentinsson dropped the first set to Markus Bolin, 6-1, playing at number five but rallied to take the next two sets, 6-4, 6-2, bringing NIU within a point of the overall match victory. Vollbach, who also dropped his first set, 4-6, at number six also produced a come-from-behind win as he bettered Freddie Powell, 6-2, 6-4, in the final two sets to push NIU's overall record to 7-0 on the season. 

NIU will return home next Saturday, February 27, when the Huskies face Cardinal Stritch in a pair of matches at Chick Evans Field House. 

NIU 4, Drake 3

Singles
1. Oliver Johansson (DU) def. Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) 6-4, 6-7, 6-4
2. Benedek Herman (DU) def. Mikko Malinen (NIU) 6-4, 7-6
3. Kristopher Ortega (NIU) def. Matija Metic (DU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Evan Fragistas (DU) def. Victor Spolidorio (NIU) 7-5, 6-4
5. Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Markus Bolin (DU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2
6. Mikael Vollbach (NIU) def. Freddie Powell (DU) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4

Doubles
1. Benedek Herman/Oliver Johansson (DU) def. Victor Spolidorio/Mikko Malinen (NIU) 7-6
2. Bor Schweiger Muzar/Mikael Vollbach (NIU) def. Matija Metic/Markus Bolin (DU) 6-4
3. Kristopher Ortega/Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Freddie Powell/Evan Fragistas (DU) 6-2