Men's Tennis | October 17

CHICAGO, Ill. - Northern Illinois University men's tennis team took a short trip to Chicago, Ill. for the 2025 ITA Midwest Regionals, hosted by DePaul University at XS Tennis Village. Beginning Thursday, Oct. 16 and running through Monday, Oct. 20, the five-day event welcomed in talent from across the region looking to secure NCAA Division I Singles and Doubles Championship bids. 

Head coach René Vidal said the team held the correct mindset going into the event. 

"Our energy and focus were extremely high this weekend," said Vidal. "This is both important and great for the team as we are preparing for MAC Indoors."

In day one, the Huskies had three players in the qualifying draw in Iker Dellien Velasco, Federico Scotuzzi and Lorenzo Leti Messina. Dellien and Scotuzzi drew a pair of Big Ten opponents in the opening round of qualifying as both men battled but fell short. Messina faced Cleveland State's Cole Chappell but couldn't hold on, dropping the set 6-4, 6-2. 

Dellien and Scotuzzi both responded in consolation matches as Dellien defeated Illinois State's Manuel Pavia 6-3, 6-0 and Scotuzzi outlasted Cleveland State's Maxime Aremon 6-2, 2-6, 10-7. 

Nikola Puntaric qualified for the main draw and saw Marquette's Blake Roegner. Puntaric and Roegner went three sets as Roegner held on to win 3-6, 7-6, 6-4. 

In the doubles main draw, Western Michigan's Drew Evans and Tim Riedel defeated Messina and Scotuzzi 8-3. 

NIU closed the weekend strong as Dellien, Messina, Puntaric and Scotuzzi all recorded singles wins.  

In the doubles consolation draw, Messina and Scotuzzi downed Illinois State's Christian Capacci and Manuel Pavia 6-3. 

"Each Huskie player performed well and earned victories over top-rated opponents," said Vidal. "Overall, it was a successful event that we can build upon for the future."

NIU is back in action this weekend at the MAC Indoor Championships in Kalamazoo, Mich. starting Friday. 

ITA Men's Midwest Regional Championships