Sunday, March 14
Muncie, Ind.
1 p.m.
Ball State University
3
vs
4
Northern Illinois University
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Men’s Tennis Falls Short In Close 4-3 Match Against NIU
March 14, 2021 | Men's Tennis
MUNCIE, Ind. - It was a tight match Sunday afternoon between the Cardinals (10-3, 0-2 MAC) and Huskies (13-1, 2-0 MAC) which came down to the very last court at the No. 3 position.
Although senior Chris Adams was very competitive against his Mid-American Conference foe Mikko Malinen, he was unable to seal the victory falling in the third set by a score of 6-4.
NIU would take the early edge in doubles winning quickly at the No. 3 spot. The Cardinals then came back to make it even after Adams alongside his doubles partner Danilo Kovacevic took down the Huskies No. 1 duo of Bor Schweiger Muzar and Mikael Vollback, 6-4. The Huskies would then win on court two to take the doubles point over Ball State as both teams headed into singles play.
After the Huskies went up 2-0 with their win at position six, Thibault de Negri beat Muzar in straight sets on the top court to put the Cardinals on the board. Newcomer Sajin Smith also won in two frames after beating Victor Spolidorio, 6-3, 6-4 on court four which knotted the match at two apiece.
NIU went back up 3-2 after taking court five from the Cardinals but Kovacevic took his three-set thriller (6-1, 5-7, 6-2) against Kristopher Ortega at the No. 2 position to tie the match, 3-3.
With the deciding point remaining, it was a back-and-forth affair in the third set but unfortunately Malinen would edge ahead of Adams to make it 5-4. With match point on the line Malinen was able to seal the Huskies fate, winning the last point.
The Ball State men's tennis team continues Mid-American Conference action when it hosts Toledo on Saturday, March 20. First serve is at 2 p.m. ET at the Cardinal Creek Tennis Center or indoors at the Northwest YMCA, weather permitting.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State men's tennis team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateMTNS.
Although senior Chris Adams was very competitive against his Mid-American Conference foe Mikko Malinen, he was unable to seal the victory falling in the third set by a score of 6-4.
NIU would take the early edge in doubles winning quickly at the No. 3 spot. The Cardinals then came back to make it even after Adams alongside his doubles partner Danilo Kovacevic took down the Huskies No. 1 duo of Bor Schweiger Muzar and Mikael Vollback, 6-4. The Huskies would then win on court two to take the doubles point over Ball State as both teams headed into singles play.
After the Huskies went up 2-0 with their win at position six, Thibault de Negri beat Muzar in straight sets on the top court to put the Cardinals on the board. Newcomer Sajin Smith also won in two frames after beating Victor Spolidorio, 6-3, 6-4 on court four which knotted the match at two apiece.
NIU went back up 3-2 after taking court five from the Cardinals but Kovacevic took his three-set thriller (6-1, 5-7, 6-2) against Kristopher Ortega at the No. 2 position to tie the match, 3-3.
With the deciding point remaining, it was a back-and-forth affair in the third set but unfortunately Malinen would edge ahead of Adams to make it 5-4. With match point on the line Malinen was able to seal the Huskies fate, winning the last point.
The Ball State men's tennis team continues Mid-American Conference action when it hosts Toledo on Saturday, March 20. First serve is at 2 p.m. ET at the Cardinal Creek Tennis Center or indoors at the Northwest YMCA, weather permitting.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State men's tennis team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateMTNS.
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1,2
#1 Singles Match
12
Bor Schweiger Muzar / 0 [NIU]
14
66
#2 Singles Match
123
Kristopher Ortega / 0 [NIU]
172
656
#3 Singles Match
123
Mikko Malinen / 0 [NIU]
646
464
#4 Singles Match
12
Victor Spolidorio / 0 [NIU]
34
66
#5 Singles Match
12
Oliver Valentinsson / 0 [NIU]
66
41
#6 Singles Match
12
Mikael Vollbach / 0 [NIU]
77
56
Order of Finish:
5,1,4,6,2,3
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
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