KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The fourth-seeded Northern Illinois University men's tennis team fell to top-seeded Western Michigan, 4-1, on Saturday morning (April 23) in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Oliver Valentinsson scored a straight sets victory for the Huskies in singles play. 

The doubles point came down to the third match to finish as the Huskies and Broncos split the opening two matches. Ferdinand Schluter and Brogan Pierce scored a 6-2 win at number three for Western Michigan and Valentinsson and Mikael Vollbach were victorious, 6-4, over Peter Kuszynski and Anton Arzhankin at number one. 

In the match at number two, Fynn Lohse and Joaquin Caballer outlasted Mikko Malinen and Christopher Knutson, 7-5, to give the home team the point. 

Pierce claimed the first singles point for Western Michigan, winning at number six, 6-0, 6-3. The Broncos then drew within a point of the overall match win as Arzhankin scored a 6-0, 6-2 victory at number two. 

Valentinsson gave the Huskies their first point with a 6-4, 6-4 win at number one against Kuszynski, but Western Michigan finished the contest as Benjamin George completed a 6-2, 6-1 triumph at number four.  

NIU's season comes to a close with an 11-11 overall record. Western Michigan advances to Sunday's MAC Tournament Final against the winner of the second semifinal between Ball State and Toledo. 

Western Michigan 4, NIU 1

Singles
1. Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Peter Kuszynski (WMU) 6-4, 6-4
2. Anton Arzhankin (WMU) def. Kristopher Ortega (NIU) 6-0, 6-2
3. Fynn Lohse (WMU) vs. Mikael Vollbach (NIU) 6-4, 1-4 unfinished
4. Benjamin George (WMU) def. Mikko Malinen (NIU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Arjun Honnappa (WMU) vs. Armin Koschtojan (NIU) 6-4, 3-2 unfinished
6. Brogan Pierce (WMU) def. Luke VanDonslear (NIU) 6-0, 6-3

Doubles
1. Oliver Valentinsson/Mikael Vollbach (NIU) def. Peter Kuszynski/Anton Arzhankin (WMU) 6-4
2. Fynn Lohse/Joaquin Caballer (WMU) def. Mikko Malinen/Christopher Knutson (NIU) 7-5
3. Ferdinand Schluter/Brogan Pierce (WMU) def. Armin Koschtojan/Kristopher Ortega (NIU) 6-2