April 11, 2009

Final Results in PDF Format

TOLEDO, Ohio - The Huskies' No. 2 doubles team forced its pro-set into a tie-breaker, and senior Shaun Stewart was on the verge of forcing a third-set in his match at the third singles position, but the Northern Illinois men's tennis team eventually fell in a 7-0 decision versus host Toledo on Senior Day at the UT Varsity Tennis Courts Saturday afternoon.

"It was certainly a tough day for our guys, but you have to tip your cap to Toledo," said NIU head coach Pawel Gajdzik. "They played a great match, particularly the seniors, who were playing their last home match. Toledo is a team that can definitely be a factor in the MAC championship race.

"We are still searching for consistency in our doubles teams. Shaun (Stewart) and Jurica (Grubisic) had a great effort at No. 2, but we struggled in the other two matches. In singles, we just didn't play our best tennis. We'll try to end the weekend on a positive note (Sunday) at Buffalo."

Pawel Poziomski and Jimmy Chu, teaming at the top doubles flight, dropped an 8-3 decision. At No. 3 doubles, Ross VanderPloeg and Javier Bernabe fell by a pro-set count of 8-4. Jurica Grubisic and Stewart extended their No. 2 doubles match to extra sessions, but fell in a 9-8 (7-1) decision.

Toledo swept all six singles matches in straight-set decisions. Grubisic fell by a score of 6-3, 6-3 at No. 1 singles, followed by a 6-2, 6-1 loss by Poziomski at the second flight. As mentioned, Stewart nearly forced a deciding third set at No. 3 singles, but could not force a tie-breaker in the second stanza, and fell in a 6-3, 7-5 decision.

Bernabe, playing No. 4 singles, dropped a 6-3, 6-2 decision; followed by respective 6-4, 6-1 and 6-4, 6-3 losses by Chu and VanderPloeg at the fifth and sixth singles positions.

NIU will travel to Buffalo, N.Y., to take on the host Bulls Sunday morning beginning at 10 a.m. CST.