Huskers Fall to Wildcats in Big Ten Quarterfinals

Lincoln, Neb., —The Nebraska men’s tennis team gave it their all but fell just short to No. 49 Northwestern, 4-2 in Friday’s Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals. The Huskers finish the 2021 season 2-16 overall.
 
In Friday’s match at the Dillon Tennis Center, Nebraska won the doubles point but were unable to close things out in singles play.
 
Doubles
The Huskers kicked off doubles competition with a dominant win at the No.1 spot. Victor Moreno Lozano and Albert Sprlak-Puk topped #22 Nick Brookes and Simen Bratholm, 6-2.
 
At No. 3, William Gleason and Patrick Cacciatore went to a tiebreaker, but fell to Nathan Spear and Steven Forman, 7-6(2).
 
With the doubles point on the line, the duo of Shunya Maruyama and Nic Wiedenhorn battled back after trailing 1-4 to get the 7-6(5) win and earn the doubles point for the Huskers.
 
Singles
Northwestern won the first three singles matches of the day at No. 4, 5, and 6 to put the Wildcats up 3-1.

Nebraksa’s Moreno Lozano responded with a win at the No. 4 spot. The Junior from Madrid outlasted Northwestern’s Nick Brookes, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 to bring the match score to 3-2.

 

The match came down to the No. 1 and No. 2 spots with Northwestern picking up the win at No.1 as Maruyama fell to Steven Forman in three sets, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Results 

Singles 

1. Steven Forman (NW) def. Shunya Maruyama (NEB) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3

2. Dominik Stary (NW) vs. William Gleason (NEB) 6-3, 4-6, 3-2, unfinished

3. Victor Moreno Lozano (NEB) def. Nick Brookes (NW) 6-3, 1-6, 6-4

4. Chris Ephron (NW) def. Albert Sprlak-Puk (NEB) 6-0, 6-2

5. Trice Pickens (NW) def. Nic Wiedenhorn (NEB) 7-5, 6-0

6. Presley Thieneman (NW) def. Patrick Cacciatore (NEB) 7-5, 6-3

Doubles 

1. Victor Moreno Lozano/Albert Sprlak-Puk (NEB) def. #22 Nick Brookes/Simen Bratholm (NW) 6-2

2. Shunya Maruyama/Nic Wiedenhorn (NEB) def. Chris Ephron/Dominik Stary (NW) 7-6 (7-5)

3. Nathan Spear/Steven Forman (NW) def. William Gleason/Patrick Cacciatore (NEB) 7-6 (7-2)

Match Notes:

Nebraska 2-16

Northwestern 13-6; National ranking #49

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (4,5,6,3,1)