OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha men's tennis team fell 4-3 in the home opener vs. Northern Illinois on Saturday afternoon at Miracle Hill Tennis Center.
 
The loss drops the Mavericks to 2-5 on the season while the Huskies improve to 5-0.
 
Doubles Play
Matt Hulme and Abdoul Ouattara teamed up to collect a 6-3 victory over Northern Illinois' Mikko Malinen and Victor Spolidorio in the No. 1 match. The Huskies picked up a pair of narrow 7-6 victories in the No. 2 and No. 3 matches to clinch the doubles match.
 
Singles Play
Hugo Piles Ballester picked up a straight-set (6-4, 6-0) win over NIU's Spolidorio in the No. 4 match. Hulme climbed back from a loss in the first set to post a three-set win (4-6, 6-3, 6-2) over Kristopher Ortega in the No. 2 match. In the No. 5 match, Philip Olsson deliver a 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 victory over Oliver Valentinsson to score a point for the Mavericks. The Huskies tallied wins in the No. 1, No. 3 and No. 6 matches to clinch the 4-3 win over Omaha.
 
Barlow's Bits
"We started off sharp in the doubles and NIU clawed back in and won the big points to take the doubles point. They continued that momentum in a quick start in singles and we couldn't quite catch back up. We will have to play smarter and more confident in big moments to beat teams like that." – head coach Matthew Barlow
 
What's Next
The Mavericks return to action next Saturday with a pair of matches against Washburn and Bethel College at Miracle Hill Tennis Center.