DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University men's tennis team suffered a 4-3 setback in its 2021 season opener to visiting Northern Illinois Friday evening at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.
 
Oliver Johansson, Benedek Herman and Evan Fragistas all claimed singles victories for the Bulldogs in the loss.
 
Herman and Johansson also teammed up for a doubles victory; however, it came after the Huskies claimed the doubles points.
 
Herman put the Bulldogs on the board first with a 6-3, 7-6 win at No. 2 singles, followed by Fragistas' 7-5, 6-4 win at No. 4 singles to even the match at 2-2.
 
However, NIU's Mikael Volbach secured NIU's (7-0) win with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 decision at No. 6 singles. Drake's Johansson followed with his 6-3, 7-6, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles after the match had already been decided.
 
The Bulldogs continue their homestand Feb. 25 when Utah visits the Roger Knapp Tennis Center for a 5 p.m. match.
 
 
Northern Illinois 4, Drake 3
Feb 20, 2021 at Des Moines, Iowa (Roger Knapp Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. Oliver Johansson (DU) def. Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) 6-3, 6-7, 6-4
2. Benedek Herman (DU) def. Mikko Malinen (NIU) 6-3, 7-6
3. Kristopher Ortega (NIU) def. Matija Metic (DU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Evan Fragistas (DU) def. Victor Spolidorio (NIU) 7-5, 6-4
5. Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Markus Bolin (DU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2
6. Mikael Volbach (NIU) def. Freddie Powell (DU) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
 
Doubles competition
1. Benedek Herman/Oliver Johansson (DU) def. Victor Spolidorio/Mikko Malinen (NIU) 7-6
2. Bor Schweiger Muzar/Mikael Volbach (NIU) def. Matija Metic/Markus Bolin (DU) 6-4
3. Kristopher Ortega/Oliver Valentinsson (NIU) def. Freddie Powell/Evan Fragistas (DU) 6-2
 
Match Notes
Northern Illinois 7-0
Drake 0-1
Order of finish: Doubles (,1); Singles (3,2,4,5,6,1)