DeKalb Times

Four singles victories helped the Northern Illinois University men's tennis team score a 4-3 victory over Buffalo in its Mid-American Conference opener on Friday afternoon (March 10) at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. The victory helped NIU improve to 9-4 on the season. 

"What an amazing atmosphere today and heck of a ball game," said NIU head coach Patrick Fisher. "We had match points in doubles, and it slipped through our hands. So proud of our guys, they didn't point fingers, or blame anybody, we just went out, fought so hard together and never quit. Oliver (Valentinsson) was a stud today for us, both he and Mikael (Vollbach) have just been outstanding leaders for us this year. Now it's on to Binghamton and I expect us to take another step forward Sunday."

Oliver Valentinsson and Armin Koschtojan won their doubles match at number two, 6-2, but the visitors took the opening point of the day as Buffalo took the matches as one and three, with Greg Hastings and Daniils Snaiders taking a narrow, 7-5, decision at number three for the Bulls. 

After dropping the doubles point for just the third time this season, NIU rebounded to win four singles matches and claim the point. Cheng En Tsai and Mikael Vollbach won their matches at two and three, respectively, in straight sets. En Tsai bettered Cheng Tang, 6-2, 6-3, at number two while Vollbach was victorious, 7-5, 6-2, against Simon Wibler at number three. 

Valentinsson came from behind at number one to earn a 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 win against Aleksandr Kalinin, brining the Huskies to within a point of the overall match win. 

With Buffalo earning a victory at number four, the result came down to the final two matches at five and six. After dropping the first set, Iker Gaztambide Arrastia rallied to defeat Finn Macnamara, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, at number five to clinch the victory for the Huskies. 

NIU will wrap up the weekend against Binghamton on Sunday, March 12, at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. First serve against the Bearcats is scheduled for 10 a.m. 

NIU 4, Buffalo 3

Singles 
1. Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Aleksandr Kalinin (UB) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
2. Cheng En Tsai (NIU) def. Cheng Tang (UB) 6-2, 6-3
3. Mikael Vollbach (NIU) def. Simon Wibler (UB) 7-5, 6-2
4. Theodoros Mitsakos (UB) def. Armin Koschtojan (NIU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Iker Gaztambide Arrastia (NIU) def. Finn Macnamara (UB) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
6. Daniils Snaiders (UB) def. Christopher Norlin (NIU) 7-5, 6-3

Doubles 
1. Simon Wibler/Finn Macnamara (UB) def. Mikael Vollbach/Cheng En Tsai (NIU) 6-3
2. Oliver Valentinsson/Armin Koschtojan (NIU) def. Cheng Tang/Aleksandr Kalinin (UB) 6-2
3. Greg Hastings/Daniils Snaiders (UB) def. Christopher Norlin/Christopher Knutson (NIU) 7-5 

Original source can be found here.