OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha men's tennis team fell to Northern Illinois Saturday afternoon at the Miracle Hill Tennis Center, 6-1. With the loss, the Mavericks are now 1-2 overall (0-0 Summit League), while the Huskies move to 3-2 (0-0 MAC).
"Our youth caught up with us today against a very good Northern Illinois team," said head coach Tyson Thomas. "They seemed to be poised and comfortable in nearly all of the tight moments."
Freshman Razvan Grigorescu claimed the only point of the afternoon for the Mavericks at the No. 1 singles position. Grigorescu defeated Georg Lundkvist in split sets 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 to remain undefeated on the year.
Northern Illinois claimed the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 3. Sophomore Alex Woodward and freshman Louis-Jonas Heizlsperger fell 6-2 at No. 3 to Tom Hjertonsson and Louis-Philippe Hamel. Grigorescu and senior Colin Buckley dropped a 6-3 decision at No. 1 to Lundkvist and Eric Marbach.
In singles action, Heizlsperger lost in split sets to Hamel at No. 6 4-6, 6-0, 6-1. Freshman Nathan Reekie took the first set against Bor Schweiger Muzar at No. 3 before dropping the final two sets by identical 6-3 scores. Sophomore Matt Dunn dropped the first set to Marbach at No. 2, 6-4, before rallying to win the second set, 7-5. Marbach overcame Dunn in the third set super tiebreaker, 10-6.
"We have a chance to take what we learned today and put it to the test against North Dakota tomorrow morning," said Thomas.
The Mavericks return to the court Sunday, Jan. 29 against North Dakota. First serve is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Miracle Hill Tennis Center.
Northern Illinois 6, Omaha 1
January 28, 2017 at Omaha, Neb. (Miracle Hill Tennis Center)
Doubles Results
1. Eric Marbach/Georg Lundkvist (NIU) def. Razvan Grigorescu/Colin Buckley (OMAHA) 6-3
2. Nathan Reekie/Matt Dunn (OMAHA) vs. Carlos Manzanas/Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) 5-4, unfinished
3. Tom Hjertonsson/Louis-Philippe Hamel (NIU) def. Alex Woodward/Joni Heizlsperger (OMAHA) 6-2
Singles Results
1. Razvan Grigorescu (OMAHA 13.17) def. Georg Lundkvist (NIU 12.5) 6-4, 1-6, 6-2
2. Eric Marbach (NIU 11.83) def. Matt Dunn (OMAHA 11.31) 6-4, 5-7, 1-0 (10-6)
3. Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU 12.26) def. Nathan Reekie (OMAHA 11.34) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
4. Tom Hjertonsson (NIU 11.93) def. Colin Buckley (OMAHA 11.17) 6-4, 6-3
5. Carlos Manzanas (NIU 11.97) def. Alex Woodward (OMAHA 10.96) 6-1, 6-0
6. Louis-Philippe Hamel (NIU 12.16) def. Joni Heizlsperger (OMAHA 11.03) 4-6, 6-0, 6-1
Match Notes:
Northern Illinois 3-2
Omaha 2-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (5,4,1,6,2,3)
T-2:26
