YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Northern Illinois University men's tennis team suffered its first loss of the season on Friday (Feb. 18) as the Huskies dropped a 5-2 decision at Youngstown State. Armin Koschtojan and Oliver Valentinsson earned singles victories for the Huskies. 

Kristopher Ortega and Valentinsson scored a 6-3 win at number two doubles over Laurentiu Mandocescu and Will Everett, but the Penguins won the matches at one and three to take the doubles point. 

In singles, Valentinsson scored a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Javi Pla at number three, while Youngstown State won the matches at one and two in straight sets. 

The matches at four through six all went three sets. Koschtojan came from behind to top Erik Gran, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, at number five, but Youngstown State's Harry Fouzas had a come from behind win at number four and Clement Mainguy outlasted Luke VanDonslear at number six, in a match that included two tiebreaks, to give the hosts the overall win. 

NIU will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 19, when the Huskies face James Madison in a neutral site contest in Youngstown. 

Youngstown State 5, NIU 2

Singles 
1. Laurentiu Mandocescu (YSU) def. Kristopher Ortega (NIU) 6-3, 6-2
2. Nathan Favier (YSU) def. Mikko Malinen (NIU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Javi Pla (YSU) 6-3, 6-3
4. Harry Fouzas (YSU) def. Mikael Vollbach (NIU) 4-6, 7-5, 6-4
5. Armin Koschtojan (NIU) def. Erik Gran (YSU) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
6. Clement Mainguy (YSU) def. Luke VanDonslear (NIU) 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-4)

Doubles 

1. Erik Gran/Harry Fouzas (YSU) def. Mikko Malinen/Mikael Vollbach (NIU) 7-5
2. Kristopher Ortega/Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Laurentiu Mandocescu/Will Everett (YSU) 6-3
3. Clement Mainguy/Nathan Favier (YSU) def. Luke VanDonslear/Armin Koschtojan (NIU) 6-2