CHICAGO – The IUPUI men's tennis team fell to UIC and Northwestern in a doubleheader on Sunday. The Jags earned the doubles point but fell to UIC, 5-2 then fell to Northwestern, 4-0.
In the opening match of the day, the Jags faced former Horizon League foe UIC. The Jags earned the doubles point and a singles point but it wasn't enough as the Flames took five of the six singles matches.
The partnership of
Emil Jankowski and
Kamil Kozerski recorded a doubles win in the number one spot, 6-1 while
Steven Paz and
Luka Rodic sealed the doubles point with a win in the number three spot, 6-2.
After earning the doubles point, the Jags couldn't keep the momentum going in singles play.
Eli Mercer earned a number six singles win in two sets, 6-4, 6-2 but it wasn't enough to secure the team win.
Kozerski fell in the number one spot in three sets, 6-1, 5-7, 6-1.
Noah Viste also took his number three match to three sets, falling 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. Both Rodic and
Nate Day took their matches to three sets as well with Rodic falling in the number four spot, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 and Day falling in the five spot, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3. Paz lost the number two singles match in two sets, 6-0, 6-0.
In the second match of the day, the Jags fell to Northwestern, 4-0. IUPUI lost the doubles point with Kozerski and Jankowski falling, 6-1 and Wil Thurin and Viste dropping the number two doubles match, 6-2. Rodic and Paz were up 4-3 when their number three doubles match went unfinished.
With the 1-0 lead, Northwestern quickly took three singles match points to seal the 4-0 win. Kozerski fell in the number one spot, 6-0, 6-2 followed by Jankowski falling in the number three singles match, 6-4, 6-2. Viste lost the number two match, 6-4, 6-2.
Paz lost in the first set and was down in the second set of the number four singles match when it went unfinished. Rodic represented the Jags in the number five singles match where he won the first set then fell in the second set before it went unfinished. Sophomore Mercer rounded out the lineup in the number six singles spot. Mercer fell in the first set then won the second set to force a third set before the match went final.
The Jags are now 3-6 on the season and will next host back-to-back matches. IUPUI welcomes Ball State on Friday, February 16 at 1:00 PM then hosts Lindenwood on Saturday, February 17 at 2:30 PM.
