DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's tennis team swept UIC, 7-0, on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 28) at Chick Evans Field House as the Huskies continued the best start in program history as they moved to 10-0. 

The Huskies won both doubles matches contested to take the first point of the day as Victor Spolidorio and Mikko Malinen scored a 6-3 win at number one while Armin Koschtojan and Luke VanDonslear paired for a 6-2 victory at number two. 

NIU won all five singles matches in straight sets. At number one, Kristopher Ortega improved his singles record to 7-2 with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Pelle Strandberg. Oliver Valentinsson dropped just four games in his 6-1, 6-3 win over Luiz Dos Santos, as Valentinsson improved to 8-1 in 2021. 

Koschtojan scored his fourth win in as many singles matches this year with a 6-2, 6-3 triumph over Gustavo Schwebel at number three. Malinen was a 6-3, 6-3 winner at number two against Anthony Nguyen and VanDonslear capped a perfect afternoon for the Huskies as he defeated Artem Iermolov, 6-3, 6-4, at number five. 

NIU will return to action on Saturday, March 6, when the Huskies travel to Chicago to meet DePaul. 

NIU 7, UIC 0

Singles
1. Kristopher Ortega (NIU) def. Pelle Strandberg (UIC) 6-0, 6-2
2. Mikko Malinen (NIU) def. Anthony Nguyen (UIC) 6-3, 6-3
3. Armin Koschtojan (NIU) def. Gustavo Schwebel (UIC) 6-2, 6-3
4. Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Luiz Dos Santos (UIC) 6-1, 6-3
5. Luke VanDonslear (NIU) def. Artem Iermolov (UIC) 6-3, 6-4
6. NIU by forfeit

Doubles
1. Victor Spolidorio/Mikko Malinen (NIU) def. Gustavo Schwebel/Luiz Dos Santos (UIC) 6-3
2. Armin Koschtojan/Luke VanDonslear (NIU) def. Anthony Nguyen/Artem Iermolov (UIC) 6-2