Men's Tennis | March 8

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Northern Illinois University men's tennis team (11-2, 1-0 MAC) won their Mid-American Conference opening dual 5-2 over Ball State (6-6, 0-1 MAC) on Friday. The win marked the Huskies' ninth in a row.

"Our guys are poised under pressure," head coach René Vidal said.  "The win is a good start toward our MAC goals but it's a long horse race. There's a lot more work for us to do."

NIU took the doubles point by winning two competitive matches.

 Cheng En Tsai and Mikael Vollbach defeated the team of Nathaniel Webster and Vince Orlando 6-4 at No. 1 doubles. The Huskies then clinched the doubles point as Iker Gaztambide Arrastia and Christopher Norlin won at No. 3 doubles 7-6 (7-5) on a tiebreaker.

Vollbach got the Huskies first singles win at No. 2 singles. Vollbach took down the Cardinals' Orlando 6-2, 6-3.

Saul Berdullas pushed the Huskies just one point from victory as he won 6-4, 6-4 at No. 3 singles over Mason Tran.

Tsai then clinched the dual win for the Huskies, as he came from behind to defeat BSU's Webster. Tsai dropped the first set at No. 1 singles but came back to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Armin Koschtojan picked up the Huskies fifth point with a 7-6 (7-3), 5-7, 10-5 win over Jacks Lancaster at No. 5 singles.

The Huskies continue their road trip on Sunday, March 10 at Western Michigan.

NIU Huskies 5, Ball State 2

Singles competition

 1. Cheng En Tsai (NIU-M) def. Nathaniel Webster (BALL) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2

 2. Mikael Vollbach (NIU-M) def. Vince Orlando (BALL) 6-2, 6-3

3. Saul Berdullas (NIU-M) def. Mason Tran (BALL) 6-4, 6-4

4. Eli Herran (BALL) def. Iker Gaztambide (NIU-M) 6-4, 6-1

5. Armin Koschtojan (NIU-M) def. Jacks Lancaster (BALL) 7-6 (7-3),6-7 (5-7), 10-5

6. Sajin Smith (BALL) def. Christopher Norlin (NIU-M) 6-1, 6-0

Doubles competition

1. Cheng En Tsai/Mikael Vollbach (NIU-M) def. Nathaniel Webster/Vince Orlando (BALL) 6-4

2. Mason Tran/Jacks Lancaster (BALL) def. Armin Koschtojan/Saul Berdullas (NIU-M) 7-6 (7-

3)

3. Iker Gaztambide/Christopher Norlin (NIU-M) def. Eli Herran/Sajin Smith (BALL) 7-6 (7-5)