Huskers Upset Alabama, Finish Strong at Blue Gray

Montgomery, Ala. – The Nebraska men’s tennis team (6-5, 0-0 Big Ten) upset No. 38 Alabama (8-4, 0-0 SEC), 4-3, on Saturday afternoon in the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic. The Huskers also picked up their second win of the day after Tulane defaulted.
 
Doubles action got underway on Friday evening, with the Huskers claiming the point. Roni Hietaranta and Shunya Maruyama took down Joao Ferreira and Zach Foster 6-0. Alabama evened up with a win on Court 2, with German Samofalov and Yair Sarouk defeating Nic Wiedenhorn and Leo Linquet, 6-4. The doubles point was then clinched by William Gleason and Calvin Mueller, as they took down Enzo Aguiard and Filip Planinsek, 6-4.
 
Singles action picked up on Saturday afternoon after a lengthy weather delay. Maruyama handled business on Court 3, defeating Samofalov, 6-1, 6-2. Alabama then answered a couple of times during singles as No. 51 Aguiard defeated Linquet, 6-1, 6-4, on Court 2. Alabama also picked up points on Court 4 and Court 5, with Matias Ponce De Leon defeating Gleason, 6-3, 6-4, and Roan Jones defeating Mueller, 6-2, 7-6 (0).
 
The Huskers picked up their other two points on Court 1 and Court 6. Hietaranta defeated No. 94 Planinsek, 7-6 (5), 6-4, on Court 1. The Huskers finished up the upset on Court 6, as Wiedenhorn stormed back to defeat Yair Sarouk, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, on Court 6.
 
This is Nebraska’s first win over a top-50 ranked team since March 16, 2022, when the team defeated No. 48 UCF 4-3.
 
The Huskers advanced to play against Tulane, who they beat by a matter of default. The Big Red close out the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic with a 2-1 record.
 
NU heads to La Jolla, Calif., on Thursday, March 2 to take on Ball State.
 
Tennis Match Results
Alabama vs Nebraska
Feb 25, 2023 at Montgomery, Alabama (Lagoon Park)
 
Nebraska 4, #38 Alabama 3
 
Singles competition
1. Roni Hietaranta (NEB) def. #94 Filip Planinsek (UA) 7-6, 6-4
2. #51 Enzo Aguiard (UA) def. Leo Linquet (NEB) 6-1, 6-4
3. Shunya Maruyama (NEB) def. German Samofalov (UA) 6-1, 6-2
4. Matias Ponce De Leon (UA) def. William Gleason (NEB) 6-3, 6-4
5. Roan Jones (UA) def. Calvin Mueller (NEB) 6-2, 7-6
6. Nic Wiedenhorn (NEB) def. Yair Sarouk (UA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. William Gleason/Calvin Mueller (NEB) def. Enzo Aguiard/Filip Planinsek (UA) 6-4
2. German Samofalov/Yair Sarouk (UA) def. Nic Wiedenhorn/Leo Linquet (NEB) 6-4
3. Roni Hietaranta/Shunya Maruyama (NEB) def. Joao Ferreira/Zach Foster (UA) 6-0
 
Match Notes:
Alabama 8-4; National ranking #38
Nebraska 6-5