ROCKFORD, Ill. – Three singles matches went three sets as Ball State outlasted the Northern Illinois University men's tennis team, 5-2, on Sunday afternoon (March 13) at the Boylan Tennis Center. Oliver Valentinsson and Mikael Vollbach scored singles wins for the Huskies. 

In the doubles, the Huskies and Cardinals split the first two matches, with the point coming down to the match at number three. Ball State scored a 6-3 victory at number one while Kristopher Ortega and Valentinsson picked up a 6-4 win against Thibault de Negri and Eli Herran. In the deciding match, Vince Orlando and Parrish Simmons earned a narrow 7-5 win to give the visitors the opening point. 

Valentinsson dropped just three games to top de Negri, 6-2, 6-1, at number two in the first singles match to finish. Ball State then won the matches at number one and six to move the Cardinals within a point of the overall match victory. 

Each of the final three matches to finish went the distance with Vollbach giving NIU a second point with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 win over Chris Adams at number four. Ball State won both of the remaining matches however as Nathaniel Webster at number three and Eli Herran at five each won their final set, 7-5, to help the Cardinals slip past the Huskies. 

NIU will return to action in the Empire State next weekend as the Huskies travel to Binghamton on Friday, March 18, and meet Buffalo on Sunday, March 20. 

Ball State 5, NIU 2

Singles 
1. Danilo Kovacevic (BALLST) def. Kristopher Ortega (NIU) 7-6, 6-3
2. Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Thibault de Negri (BALLST) 6-2, 6-1
3. Nathaniel Webster (BALLST) def. Mikko Malinen (NIU) 6-4, 2-6, 7-5
4. Mikael Vollbach (NIU) def. Chris Adams (BALLST) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
5. Eli Herran (BALLST) def. Armin Koschtojan (NIU) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
6. Vince Orlando (BALLST) def. Luke VanDonslear (NIU) 7-6, 6-3

Doubles 
1. Danilo Kovacevic/Chris Adams (BALLST) def. Mikko Malinen/Mikael Vollbach (NIU) 6-3
2. Kristopher Ortega/Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Thibault de Negri/Eli Herran (BALLST) 6-4
3. Vince Orlando/Parrish Simmons (BALLST) def. Luke VanDonslear/Armin Koschtojan (NIU) 7-5