BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- The Northern Illinois University men's tennis team earned its first conference win with a 7-0 victory over Binghamton on Friday afternoon (March 18). The Huskies dropped just one set in the six singles matches as NIU improved to 7-5 overall, 1-2 in Mid-American Conference play. 

The first point of the day went to the Huskies with doubles wins at number one and three. Mikael Vollbach and Mikko Malinen paired for a 6-2 win at number one over Josh Roe Flannelly/Kyle Weeks and the Huskies secured the point when Luke VanDonslear and Armin Koschtojan finished off a 6-4 victory against Shourya Verma and Adi Ben Ari at number three. 

Kristopher Ortega got NIU off to a great start in the singles, dropping just one game in a 6-0, 6-1 win over Verma at number one. Koschtojan topped Anshumat Srivastava, 6-4, 6-3, at number five to bring the Huskies within a point of the overall victory. 

Malinen clinched the overall win for NIU with a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Flannelly at number three. Vollbach also won in straight sets, topping Courage Crawford, 6-2, 7-6 at number four. 

At number two, Oliver Valentinsson claimed a pair of tiebreaks to score a 7-6, 7-6 win against Weeks and VanDonslear finished the sweep for NIU with a come from behind victory, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 against Ben Ari at number six. 

NIU will finished its weekend in New York on Sunday, March 20, when the Huskies visit Buffalo. 


NIU 7, Binghamton 0

Singles
1. Kristopher Ortega (NIU) def. Shourya Verma (BING), 6-0, 6-1
2. Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Kyle Weeks (BING), 7-6, 7-6
3. Mikko Malinen (NIU) def. Josh Roe Flannelly (BING), 6-3, 6-4
4. Mikael Vollbach (NIU) def. Courage Crawford (BING), 6-2, 7-6
5. Armin Koschtojan (NIU) def. Anshumat Srivastava (BING), 6-4, 6-3
6. Luke VanDonslear (NIU) def. Adi Ben Ari (BING), 2-6, 6-3, 6-4

Doubles
1. Mikael Vollbach/Mikko Malinen (NIU) def. Josh Roe Flannelly/Kyle Weeks (BING), 6-2
2. Kristopher Ortega/Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) vs. Anshumat Srivastava/Courage Crawford (BING), 3-5 unfinished
3. Luke VanDonslear/Armin Koschtojan (NIU) def. Shourya Verma/Adi Ben Ari (BING), 6-4