DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University men's tennis team picked up its second home win in the last three days as it topped North Dakota, 4-1, on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 19) at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. With the win, the Huskies improved to 6-3 overall, including 5-0 at home, while dropping North Dakota to 10-2. 

"There was a lot of energy in the Nelson Tennis Center today both teams slugged it out," said NIU head coach Patrick Fisher. "We were tougher today and our attitude and mindset was where it needed to be, in the present looking forward, not the past. Our guys have so much character and I'm so proud of how they just never quit no matter the circumstances. We have a short turnaround to UIC on Wednesday at home, we will be ready."

For the eighth consecutive dual, NIU won the doubles point as Mikael Vollbach and Cheng En Tsai improved to 6-1 with a 6-4 win over Gerhard Sullwald and Nikita Snezhko while Oliver Valentinsson and Iker Gaztambide Arrastia moved to 3-0 with a 6-4 triumph against Riley Odell and Drew Van Fossen. 

As a team, the Huskies are 16-4 this season in doubles matches. 

Valentinsson took the momentum from his doubles victory over into singles where he dropped just three games in a 6-2, 6-1 win over Edmond Aynedjian at number three. His doubles partner, Gaztambide Arrastia, also scored a singles win, topping Jayho Hong, 6-3, 6-2 at number five. 

At number two, Vollbach won by an identical, 6-3, 6-2, scoreline over Cian McDonnell as he moved to 5-1 in dual matches this season. 

En Tsai was just a game away from a win at number one when the overall result was determined as he led Sullwald, 5-6, 6-3, 6-5. Christopher Norlin was also leading his unfinished match at number six, 6-3, 1-1, against Alex Petro. 

NIU will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 22, as the Huskies host UIC at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. First serve against the Flames is slated for 1 p.m. 

NIU 4, North Dakota 1

Singles 
1. Cheng En Tsai (NIU) vs. Gerhard Sullwald (UND) 5-7, 6-3, 6-5, unfinished
2. Mikael Vollbach (NIU) def. Cian McDonnell (UND) 6-3, 6-2
3. Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Edmond Aynedjian (UND) 6-2, 6-1
4. Nikita Snezhko (UND) def. Armin Koschtojan (NIU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
5. Iker Gaztambide Arrastia (NIU) def. Jayho Hong (UND) 6-3, 6-2
6. Christopher Norlin (NIU) vs. Alex Petro (UND) 6-3, 1-1, unfinished

Doubles 
1. Mikael Vollbach/Cheng En Tsai (NIU) def. Gerhard Sullwald/Nikita Snezhko (UND) 6-4
2. Christopher Knutson/Armin Koschtojan (NIU) vs. Edmond Aynedjian/Cian McDonnell (UND) 4-4, unfinished
3. Oliver Valentinsson/Iker Gaztambide Arrastia (NIU) def. Riley Odell/ Drew Van Fossen (UND) 6-4