University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Northwestern
Gophers End Homestand With 4-2 Loss
4/2/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Minneapolis, Minn.- The No. 33-ranked University of Minnesota men's tennis team could not complete another rally on Sunday afternoon as they fell 4-2 to No. 19 Northwestern. The Gophers finished their homestand with a 2-1 record and will now complete their road schedule with four matches in the next two weekends.
Doubles
After a one-hour rain delay, the courts at Baseline were ready for the first outdoor match of the year. The Gophers fell in the top doubles slot to start the day, as No. 69 Matic Spec and Felix Corwin were defeated by No. 55 Dominik Stary and Strong Kirchheimer 6-1.
The doubles point was clinched by Northwestern when Konrad Zieba and Ben Vandixhorn defeated Eli Ogilvy and Justyn Levin 6-2 at No. 2 doubles. The third set at No. 3 did not finish, as Chris Ephron and Michael Lorenzini were up 5-4 over Marino Alpeza and Josip Krstanovic.
Singles
The No. 4 singles match was first to finish, as Ogilvy was defeated 6-2, 6-0 by Vandixhorn. Northwestern extended their lead to three when Jason Seidman beat Minnesota's Krstanovic 6-4, 6-2 at No. 5 singles.
In a similar fashion to Friday, the Gophers kept fighting and supported each other. At No. 1 singles, No. 80-ranked Spec defeated No. 41 Kirchheimer 6-2, 6-3 in the only matchup of the day where both players were ranked.
After losing the first set 6-1, Justyn Levin showed his resilience and battled back in the second and third sets to win 6-0, 6-4 against Brenden Volk. Minnesota had pulled within one as the final two matches of the day were going to third sets.
With both sets coming down to the wire, Corwin was on the wrong end of a tie-breaker that ended 9-7 in favor of Zieba. After a 6-4 loss in the first set, Corwin battled back and forced the match to a final set with a 6-3 win in the second set. The Wildcats clinched the match with the victory at No. 2 singles.
Stefan Milicevic was also in a tight match, as he led 4-6, 7-5, 6-5 against Stary at No. 3 singles when the Wildcats clinched and their match was terminated.
After two exciting home matches to wrap up the homestand, the Gophers now hold a 3-2 record in the Big Ten and a 14-5 record overall. Next up for the Maroon & Gold is a trip to Michigan, as they battle the Wolverines on April 8th and the Spartans on April 9th. The final two matches at Baseline will be on April 21st and 23rd when Purdue and Indiana come to town.
You can follow all of the action this year on the Gophers' Facebook, Twitter, and Instragram.
#19 Northwestern 4, #33 Minnesota 2
Apr 02, 2017 at Minneapolis, Minn. (Baseline Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. #80 Matic Spec (MINN) def. #41 Strong Kirchheimer (NU) 6-2, 6-3
2. #53 Konrad Zieba (NU) def. Felix Corwin (MINN) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (0-7)
3. Stefan Milicevic (MINN) vs. Dominik Stary (NU) 4-6, 7-5, 6-5, unfinished
4. Ben Vandixhorn (NU) def. Eli Ogilvy (MINN) 6-2, 6-0
5. Jason Seidman (NU) def. Josip Krstanovic (MINN) 6-4, 6-2
6. Justyn Levin (MINN) def. Brenden Volk (NU) 1-6, 6-0, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. #55 Strong Kirchheimer/Dominik Stary (NU) def. #69 Felix Corwin/Matic Spec (MINN) 6-1
2. Ben Vandixhorn/Konrad Zieba (NU) def. Justyn Levin/Eli Ogilvy (MINN) 6-2
3. Marino Alpeza/Josip Krstanovic (MINN) vs. Michael Lorenzini/Chris Ephron (NU) 4-5, unfinished
Match Notes
Northwestern 15-7 (3-1); National ranking #19
Minnesota 14-5 (3-2); National ranking #33
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (4,5,1,6,2,3)
Attendance: 142
