DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's tennis team moved to 4-0 on the season as it swept a pair of matches against Eastern Illinois and UIC on Tuesday (Jan. 26) at Chick Evans Field House. The Huskies opened the day with a 4-1 victory over the Panthers before topping the Flames, 4-0, in the nightcap.

"I am really happy with how today went," said NIU head coach Patrick Fisher. "We were a couple of men down today and other guys stepped up and got it done. We have a big match with Drake on Friday and we're super excited to play."

Oliver Valentinsson and Jacob Krefting got the day started with a 6-1 victory at number three doubles against Eastern Illinois. Mikko Malinen and Mikael Vollbach then clinched the first point against the Panthers with a 7-5 win at number one. 

In singles, Valentinsson was a 6-0, 6-4 winner over Leighton Brandon at number one while Malinen reverse that score, winning 6-4, 6-0 against Christos Kyrillou at number two. Krefting helped the Huskies clinch the match with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Max Pililpovic-Kljajic. 

The matches at number three and four against Eastern Illinois were unfinished. 

In the nightcap, Valentinsson and Krefting won 6-2 at number three doubles while Armin Koschtojan and Luke VanDonslear were 6-3 winners at number two, giving NIU the first point of the match. 

Vollbach won a dominant, 6-1, 6-1 win over Gustavo Schwebel at number two singles and Malinen was victorious, 6-1, 6-4, against Francesco Tacconi at number three. 

The Huskies clinched the match when Valentinsson finished a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 win at number one over Pelle Strandberg to finish a sweep for the Huskies. 

NIU will return to action on Friday, Jan. 28, as it travels to Des Moines, Iowa, to meet Drake. 

NIU 4, Eastern Illinois 1

Singles 
1. Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Leighton Brandon (EIU) 6-0, 6-4
2. Mikko Malinen (NIU) def. Christos Kyrillou (EIU) 6-4, 6-0
3. Mikael Vollbach (NIU) vs. Charles Courteau (EIU) 6-0, 4-1, unfinished
4. Armin Koschtojan (NIU) vs. Pau Riera (EIU) 6-0, 2-2, unfinished
5. Thomas Wallace (EIU) def. Luke VanDonslear (NIU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Jacob Krefting (NIU) def. Max Pililpovic-Kljajic (EIU) 7-5, 6-4

Doubles 
1. Mikko Malinen/Mikael Vollbach (NIU) def. Leighton Brandon/Pau Riera (EIU) 7-5
2. Armin Koschtojan/Luke VanDonslear (NIU) vs. Christos Kyrillou/Thomas Wallace (EIU) 5-5, unfinished
3. Oliver Valentinsson/Jacob Krefting (NIU) def. Charles Courteau/Max Pililpovic-Kljajic (EIU) 6-1

NIU 4, UIC 0

Singles
1. Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Pelle Strandberg (UIC) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
2. Mikael Vollbach (NIU) def. Gustavo Schwebel (UIC) 6-1, 6-1
3. Mikko Malinen (NIU) def. Francesco Tacconi (UIC) 6-1, 6-4
4. Armin Koschtojan (NIU) vs. Kevin Kruzel (UIC) 6-4, 4-1, unfinished
5. Luke VanDonslear (NIU) vs. Ammar Wazir (UIC) 4-5, unfinished
6. Jacob Krefting (NIU) vs. Artem Iermolov (UIC) unfinished

Doubles 
1. Mikko Malinen/Mikael Vollbach (NIU) vs. Pelle Strandberg/ Francesco Tacconi (UIC) 4-2, unfinished
2. Armin Koschtojan/Luke VanDonslear (NIU) def. Ammar Wazir/Kevin Kruzel (UIC) 6-3
3. Oliver Valentinsson/Jacob Krefting (NIU) def. Sam Bank/Theo Duclos (UIC) 6-2