BUFFALO, N.Y. -- After dropping the doubles point, the 48th-ranked Northern Illinois University men's tennis team came from behind to defeat Buffalo, 5-2, on Sunday afternoon (April 11). With the win, the Huskies improved to 19-2 overall, 5-1 in the Mid-American Conference, NIU's 19 victories is the most for the program since the 2011-12 season. 

"Credit Buffalo, they came to play in doubles, and we let ourselves get sidetracked with distractions and that flipped momentum," said NIU head coach Patrick Fisher. "While the overall score does not show it, we were lucky to win today and I'm proud of our guys not giving up and fighting back. Next week is huge week for us, both Toledo and Ball State are playing great, it won't be easy."

Buffalo won the only two doubles matches to finish as the Bulls took the first point of the day. 

In singles, Bor Schweiger Muzar and Kristopher Ortega each dropped just four games to pick up wins at number one and three, respectively. Muzar was a 6-3, 6-1 winner over Bjoern Petersen while Ortega topped Matthew Johnson, 6-2, 6-2. 

At number six, Victor Spolidorio bettered Tom Owen, 6-2, 7-5, and Oliver Valentinsson's opponent at number four, Simon Wibler, was forced to retire. 

Mikael Vollbach needed three sets but maintained his perfect 17-0 singles record with a 6-3, 3-6, 11-9 win over Finn Macnamara at number five. 

Next weekend, NIU will play its final two home matches of the season as the Huskies host Toledo on Friday, April 16 and Ball State on Sunday, April 18. 


NIU 5, Buffalo 2
 
Singles 
1. Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) def. Bjoern Petersen (UB) 6-3, 6-1
2. Valdemar Holm (UB) def. Mikko Malinen (NIU) 6-4, 6-4
3. Kristopher Ortega (NIU) def. Matthew Johnson (UB) 6-2, 6-2
4. Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Simon Wibler (UB) 2-6, 4-5, retired
5. Mikael Vollbach (NIU) def. Finn Macnamara (UB) 6-3, 3-6, 11-9
6. Victor Spolidorio (NIU) def. Tom Owen (UB) 6-2, 7-5
 
Doubles 
1. Valdemar Holm/Matthew Johnson (UB) def. Bor Schweiger Muzar/Mikael Vollbach (NIU) 6-4
2. Simon Wibler/Finn Macnamara (UB) vs. Victor Spolidorio/Mikko Malinen (NIU) 4-5, unfinished
3. Bjoern Petersen/Greg Hastings (UB) def. Kristopher Ortega/Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) 6-4