ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Western Illinois men's tennis team hit the courts Saturday (Feb. 14) afternoon for a nonconference dual against in-state foe Northern Illinois. Nikola Pavlovic collected a victory at No. 2 singles as Western Illinois (0-6, 0-1 Summit League) fell to the Huskies by a 6-1 final.

"We faced a very competitive team in NIU," said head coach Mashiska Washington. "We played hard but were not able to get the win this time. The final match to finish singles was a victory by Nikola Pavlovic, which concluded in a third set tiebreak win."

Pavlovic, competing against Georg Lundkvist in the No. 2 spot, took the first set by a 6-3 decision. Pavlovic, looking to pick up the straight sets victory, was unable to do so and was forced to a third set tiebreaker. In the race to 10 points, Pavlovic prevailed with a 10-6 victory to get Western Illinois in the win column.

Elsewhere in singles action, Western was unable to secure another victory as NIU took the remaining five matches in straight sets. Chris Bunch fell (1-6, 2-6) at No. 1 and Surya Sawhney dropped a 2-6, 1-6 decision at No. 3 singles. Jacob Sanders and Ross Smith were unsuccessful at No. 4 and 5 singles, respectively, as each lost, 1-6, 0-6. Anthony Timberlake, competing in the No. 6 spot, was defeated by a 0-6, 0-6 score.

Prior to singles taking place, the Huskies claimed the doubles point, as they swept all three matches.

The Leathernecks continue their tour through Illinois on Sunday (Feb. 15) as they play a pair of dual matches. Western will first take on Chicago State at 9 a.m. before playing a neutral site match against North Dakota following the conclusion of Western's first match.