OMAHA, Neb. – The Northern Illinois University men's tennis team dropped a narrow, 4-3, decision to Creighton on Friday afternoon (Feb. 10) at the Hanscom Indoor Tennis Center. The Huskies claimed the doubles point but the Bluejays answered back to win four singles matches, including the final two in three sets.
"What a match," said NIU head coach
Patrick Fisher. "We had so many chances and it didn't work out for us, but we fought till the end. We look forward to tomorrow."
Mikael Vollbach and
Cheng En Tsai got the Huskies off to a positive start with a 6-4 win at number one doubles.
Christopher Norlin and
Guy Dagan clinched the first point when they finished a 6-3 victory at number three.
Creighton won the first singles point at number one before Vollbach claimed NIU's second point with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Shin Inoue at number three.
Oliver Valentinsson earned a three-set, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 win over Oscar Alvarez, but the Bluejays would win each of the final three matches to finish. At number five, Kirtan Patel won in three sets, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, against
Armin Koschtojan and Alejandro Gandini won the final match to finish, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, at number four over
Iker Gaztambide Arrastia to give the home team the victory.
NIU will be back in action on Sunday, Feb. 11, as the Huskies take on Omaha. First serve against the Mavericks is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Creighton 4, NIU 3
Singles
1. Matthew Lanahan (CU) def.
Cheng En Tsai (NIU) 6-4, 6-2
2.
Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Oscar Alvarez (CU) 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
3.
Mikael Vollbach (NIU) def. Shin Inoue (CU) 6-4, 6-4
4. Alejandro Gandini (CU) def.
Iker Gaztambide Arrastia (NIU) 7-5, 3-6, 6-3
5. Kirtan Patel (CU) def.
Armin Koschtojan (NIU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
6. Zachary Kuo (CU) def.
Christopher Norlin (NIU) 6-4, 7-5
Doubles
1.
Mikael Vollbach/
Cheng En Tsai (NIU) def. Alejandro Gandini/Matthew Lanahan (CU) 6-4
2. Shin Inoue/Oscar Alvarez (CU) vs.
Christopher Knutson/
Armin Koschtojan (NIU) 3-5, unfinished
3.
Christopher Norlin/
Guy Dagan (NIU) def. Zack Maline/Zachary Kuo (CU) 6-3
