Huskers See Solid Start at Wisconsin Fall Invite

Madison, Wis. -- The Nebraska men's tennis team started the weekend in solid fashion, combing for three doubles and two singles victories in matches against Northern Illinois and Minnesota Friday in the first day of the Wisconsin Fall Invite at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium. The Huskers defeated NIU 5-3, and did not record a team score in five singles matches against Minnesota.

After being swept in doubles play in their first three fall matches, the Huskers responded in convincing style Friday, running the tables in doubles play against Northern Illinois before taking four of five singles matches. NU's No. 1 duo of Joerg Barthel and Jose Rivera ran past NIU's Juan Pablo Barriga and Erick Martinez, 8-5, while the Huskers' No. 2 tandem of Jeff Nabity and Joel Reckewey easily downed Willy Gali and Aaron Forsberg, 8-5. The Huskers' No. 3 duo of Justin Junck and Tanner Gates needed a little more time before getting past the Huskies' Jack Komar and Stephen Guntly, 9-8 (5).

"We won some doubles matches, which was good for us after a slow start there this year," said NU head coach Kerry McDermott. "It was good to see, especially since we had some new combinations."

The Huskers continued to roll in singles play, outdistancing Northern Illinois in two of five matches contested. Junior Jose Rivera continued his strong fall play, taking a come-from-behind victory over Barriga at the No. 3 position. Rivera, who went 4-1 last weekend to place second in the ?B' Flight singles main draw at the Louisville Fall Invitational, dropped the first set 6-3, before coming back to take the second by a 6-3 margin. In the tiebreaker, Rivera rolled past Barriga, 10-7, to take the match.

Along with Rivera, freshman Justin Junck picked up another singles victory, as he outlasted NIU's Aaron Forsberg, 6-3, 7-5.

Against Minnesota, the Huskers momentum fell off, as the Golden Gophers earned wins at the five singles positions contested. Four of the five matches lasted just two sets, with only senior Jeff Nabity forcing a third set. Nabity, playing at No. 2 singles, pushed Chris Wettengel to the brink before Wettengel pulled out a 7-6, 3-6, 10-4, victory.

Nebraska returns to action Saturday, Oct. 11, at 9 a.m., when it will face Marquette. The Huskers will have at least two more matches Saturday's morning contest in the six-team, three-day tournament.

Wisconsin Fall Invite, Oct. 10, 2003, at Madison, Wis.

Nebraska 5, Northern Illinois 3
Doubles
No. 1 Joerg Barthel/Jose Rivera (NU) def. Juan Pablo Barriga/Erick Martinez (NIU), 8-5
No. 2 Jeff Nabity/Joel Reckewey (NU) def. Willy Gali/Aaron Forsberg (NIU), 8-5
No. 3 Justin Junck/Tanner Gates (NU) def. Jack Komar/Stephen Guntly (NIU), 9-8 (5)
Singles
No. 1 Willy Gali (NIU) def. Joel Reckewey (NU), 6-1, 7-5
No. 2 Erick Martinez (NIU) def. Jeff Nabity (NU), 6-1, 3-6, 10-2
No. 3 Jose Rivera (NU) def. Juan Pablo Barriga (NIU), 3-6, 6-3, 10-7
No. 4 Justin Junck (NU) def. Aaron Forsberg (NIU), 6-3, 7-5
No. 5 Jack Komar (NIU) def. Tanner Gates (NU), 6-1, 6-1

Nebraska vs. Minnesota (No team score)
No doubles matches contested
Singles
No. 1 Avery Ticer (UM) def. Joel Reckewey (NU), 6-0, 6-3
No. 2 Chris Wettengel (UM) def. Jeff Nabity (NU), 7-6, 3-6 (10-4)
No. 3 Clay Estes (UM) def. Jose Rivera (NU), 6-3, 6-3
No. 4 Brian Lipinski (UM) def. Justin Junck (NU), 6-2, 6-2
No. 5 Mikey Kantar (UM) def. Tanner Gates (NU), 6-2, 6-2