Huskers Fly 4-0 Over Bluejays

The No. 40 Nebraska men’s tennis team notched a 4-0 win over Creighton on Sunday afternoon to close out its non-conference competition. Claiming the doubles point and singles wins from Calvin Mueller, Joan Torres Espinosa and Leo Linquet, the Big Red (7-3) downed the Bluejays (8-4) in Lincoln.

The dual began with doubles play at the Dillon Tennis Center. No. 42 Anton Shepp and Lars Johann battled on Court One against Neil/McKenzie, and closed first with a 6-1 win. At No. 2 doubles, Calvin Mueller and Joan Torres Espinosa faced Kuo/Patel taking the Big Red win, 6-1, to claim the doubles point. On Court Three, Bilicic/Linquet went unfinished against Daijima/Eason. 

Heading into singles with the lead, each Husker opened strong claiming their first sets. Mueller finished first on Court One, as the national #108 ranked Husker defeated Daijima, 6-3, 6-0. Joan Torres Espinosa was the second to finish, defeating Ethan Neil on Court Five in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1. 

With a strong 3-0 NU lead, Leo Linquet downed Rocky McKenzie on Court Four, 6-2, 6-3, propelling the Big Red to a 4-0 victory. 

Roni Hietaranta and Bluejay Kirtan Patel went unfinished on Court Two, abandoned at 6-1, 3-1. The matches at No. 3 and No. 6 singles also went unfinished, leaving Lars Johann leading, 6-4, 4-3, against Zachary Kuo as well as Colson Wells up, 6-1, 5-3, facing Max Stollecker. 

In the victory, No. 108 Mueller claimed his 59th career singles win, while No. 42 Johann/Shepp improved to 6-2 on the season. Nebraska defeated the Bluejays 4-0 to improve to 7-3 before beginning Big Ten conference play. The opening 10-dual record is a program best since the 2017-18 season. 

UP NEXT
NU will return to action on Friday, March 7 in Champaign, Ill., at the Atkins Tennis Center to face No. 16 Illinois at 6 p.m. (CT). The Big Ten dual will have live stats and stream.

#40 Nebraska 4, Creighton 0
Doubles competition:

1. #42 Anton Shepp/Lars Johann (NEB) def. Ethan Neil/Rocky McKenzie (CU) 6-1
2. Calvin Mueller/Joan Torres Espinosa (NEB) def. Zachary Kuo/Kirtan Patel (CU) 6-1
3. Henry Bilicic/Leo Linquet (NEB) vs. Yuma Daijima/Blake Eason (CU) 2-5 UF

Singles competition:

1. #108 Calvin Mueller (NEB) def. Yuma Daijima (CU) 6-3, 6-0
2. Roni Hietaranta (NEB) vs. Kirtan Patel (CU) 6-1, 3-1 UF
3. Lars Johann (NEB) vs. Zachary Kuo (CU) 6-4, 4-3 UF
4. Leo Linquet (NEB) def. Rocky McKenzie (CU) 6-2, 6-3
5. Joan Torres Espinosa (NEB) def. Ethan Neil (CU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Colson Wells (NEB) vs. Max Stollecker (CU) 6-1, 5-3 UF