ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Omaha men's tennis team hit the road for the first time in February, but dropped a 7-0 match against Northern Illinois. The Mavericks are 3-5 overall, while the Huskies are 7-3 this season.
"We didn't adjust well to the environment in singles today," said head coach Tyson Thomas. "Northern Illinois got ahead of us and really kept their foot down. I give them a lot of credit."
Omaha nearly grabbed the doubles point to start the match. Colin Buckley and Ignace Warson made quick work of Carlos Manzanas and Austin Russell at No. 1 doubles. Erik Anderson and John Ellis fell at No. 3 doubles 6-2. Matt Dunn and Alex Woodward nearly won the doubles point for the Mavs at No. 2, but fell in a tie breaker 7-6 (3).
"Our No. 1 doubles team played really well today," commented Thomas. "We were very close to earning the doubles point, but we came up just short."
Northern Illinois kept Omaha off the board by sweeping all six singles matches. Ellis nearly earned UNO a point at No. 6 singles, but lost to Russell 7-5, 7-5. On court five, Anderson overcame a slow start, but lost to Kevin Daun 6-1, 7-5. Marko Minic was defeated by Tom Hjertonsson at No. 4 6-2, 6-3.
"John (Ellis) played a very solid match at No. 6 today," said Thomas. "He's really starting to find his game."
Omaha returns to action on Saturday against Cleveland State. The match will be played in Rockford, Ill. and is set to start at 9 a.m.
Northern Illinois 7, Omaha Mavericks 0 (Feb 12, 2016 at Rockford, Ill.)
Singles competition
1. Carlos Manzanas (NIU) def. Colin Buckley (OMAHA) 6-2, 6-2
2. Louis-Philippe Hamel (NIU) def. Matt Dunn (OMAHA) 6-1, 6-2
3. Georg Lundkvist (NIU) def. Alex Woodward (OMAHA) 6-1, 6-2
4. Tom Hjertonsson (NIU) def. Marko Minic (OMAHA) 6-2, 6-3
5. Kevin Daun (NIU) def. Erik Anderson (OMAHA) 6-1, 7-5
6. Austin Russell (NIU) def. John Ellis (OMAHA) 7-5, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. Colin Buckley/Ignace Warson (OMAHA) def. Carlos Manzanas/Austin Russell (NIU) 6-2
2. Georg Lundkvist/Kevin Daun (NIU) def. Matt Dunn/Alex Woodward (OMAHA) 7-6 (7-3)
3. Tom Hjertonsson/Louis-Philippe Hamel (NIU) def. Erik Anderson/John Ellis (OMAHA) 6-2
Match Notes
Omaha Mavericks 3-5
Northern Illinois 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (3,1,4,2,5,6)
