DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's tennis team maintained its perfect record to start the season as the Huskies topped Cardinal Stritch in a pair of matches, 6-1 and 4-1, on Saturday (Feb. 27) at Chick Evans Field House. With the pair of victories, NIU improves to 9-0 on the season. 

"This was a good game for us," said NIU head coach Patrick Fisher. "Cardinal Stritch is ranked number two in the nation in NAIA and they fought us hard tonight. I happy with how we played especially in singles, in the second half we got a little complacent and it cost us doubles. While we're perfect, we still have room to improve and we need to make some adjustments for doubles."

In the first match of the day, NIU took the doubles point as Kristopher Ortega and Oliver Valentinsson won the match at number three, 6-3, and Victor Spolidorio and Mikko Malinen outlasted Danilo Pejovic and Mike Delebois, 7-6, at number two. The match at number one was unfinished. 

The Huskies won three singles matches in straight sets. Mikael Vollbach dropped just two games in a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Javier Apellaniz at number five while Ortega lost just four games in a 6-0, 6-4 win at number two against Nicola Wehrle. At number one, Bor Schweiger Muzar defeated Niccolo Rossi, 6-4, 6-2. 

Spolidorio came from behind to take a 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 win over Delebois at number three and Armin Koschtojan bettered Francesco Tacconi at number four, 6-3, 4-6, 11-9. 

In the nightcap, Cardinal Stritch won the doubles point before the Huskies responded by winning all four singles matches that finished. 

Muzar and Malinen earned victories by identical 6-2, 6-2 score lines. Muzar won over Rossi at number one while Malinen scored his win against Delebois at number three. Ortega defeated Wehrle for the second time with a 6-1, 6-4 victory at number two and Valentinsson posted a 6-4, 6-4 triumph against Alejandro Martinez playing at number six. 

NIU will conclude the weekend with a Sunday (Feb. 28) matchup against UIC at Chick Evans Field House. 


NIU 6, Cardinal Stritch 1

Singles
1. Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) def. Niccolo Rossi (CS) 6-4, 6-2
2. Kristopher Ortega (NIU) def. Nicola Wehrle (CS) 6-0, 6-4
3. Victor Spolidorio (NIU) def. Mike Delebois (CS) 4-6, 6-0, 6-3
4. Armin Koschtojan (NIU) def. Francesco Tacconi (CS) 6-3, 4-6, 11-9
5. Mikael Vollbach (NIU) def. Javier Apellaniz (CS) 6-2, 6-0
6. Alejandro Martinez (CS) def. Luke VanDonslear (NIU) 6-3, 5-7, 12-10

Doubles
1. Mikael Vollbach/Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) vs. Niccolo Rossi/Nicola Wehrle (CS) unfinished
2. Victor Spolidorio/Mikko Malinen (NIU) def. Danilo Pejovic/Mike Delebois (CS) 7-6
3. Kristopher Ortega/Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Francesco Tacconi/Javier Apellaniz (CS) 6-3

NIU 4, Cardinal Stritch 1

Singles
1. Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) def. Niccolo Rossi (CS) 6-2, 6-2
2. Kristopher Ortega (NIU) def. Nicola Wehrle (CS) 6-1, 6-4
3. Mikko Malinen (NIU) def. Mike Delebois (CS) 6-2, 6-2
4. Armin Koschtojan (NIU) led Francesco Tacconi (CS) 5-4
5. Mikael Vollbach (NIU) led Javier Apellaniz (CS) 6-2, 4-1
6. Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Alejandro Martinez (CS) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles
1. Niccolo Rossi/Nicola Wehrle (CS) def. Mikael Vollbach/Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) 7-6
2. Danilo Pejovic/Mike Delebois (CS) def. Victor Spolidorio/Mikko Malinen (NIU) 6-4
3. Kristopher Ortega/Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Francesco Tacconi/Javier Apellaniz (CS) 6-2