The Northern Illinois University men’s tennis team dropped a competitive match to Xavier at home on Saturday evening by score of 4-3.

“We didn’t perform at some spots in singles,’ said head coach René Vidal. “At the end of the day, we just have to look at and identify specific areas where we can improve.”

NIU (2-1) won the doubles point thanks to a 6-4 clinch at No. 2 from Iker Dellien Velasco / Chiao Bo Suo Nan. Lorenzo Leti Messina / Federico Scotuzzi also recorded a 6-4 win at No. 3.

Shifting to singles, Iker Gaztambide Arrastia (Pamplona, Spain/Jesuitas) fell down 0-3 in the first set and rallied to win the match 6-4, 6-2 for the Huskies first singles point. Nikola Puntaric (Ljubljana, Slovenia/Tulsa) finished right behind Gaztambide Arrastia for a 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 2.

The match came down to the final court with the teams locked at 3-3. Federico Scotuzzi (Bergamo, Italy/North Alabama) fell in a marathon of a match 4-6, 6-4, 2-6.

The Huskies are back at home vs. Roosevelt next Saturday, Feb. 7 at 11 a.m.

Doubles

Nick Herdoiza/Max Pettingell (XU) def. Iker Arrastia/Nikola Puntaric 6-2

Iker Dellien/Chiao Bo Suo Nan def. Alex Kotarski/Andrew Spurck (XU) 6-4

Federico Scotuzzi/Lorenzo Leti Messina def. Kyle Totorica/Bode Campbell (XU) 6-4

Singles

Iker Arrastia def. Nick Herdoiza (XU) 6-4, 6-2

Nikola Puntaric def. Max Pettingell (XU) 6-4, 6-3

Alex Kotarski (XU) def. Lorenzo Leti Messina 7-5, 3-6, 6-2

Andrew Spurck (XU) def. Iker Dellien 6-0, 6-3

Bode Campbell (XU) def. Federico Scotuzzi 6-4, 4-6, 6-2

Kyle Totorica (XU) def. Chiao Bo Suo Nan 6-2, 6-2