Huskers Defeat Broncos 5-2

Kalamazoo, Mich.--- The Nebraska men's tennis team picked up its' second victory of the weekend on Saturday, Feb. 20, by defeating the Western Michigan Broncos 5-2 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The win improves NU's record to 5-3 on the season and is the second consecutive road victory for the Huskers after beating Michigan State on Friday.

The Huskers were led by junior Calin Paar (NU) who won his fourth consecutive match. The No. 92-ranked player in the nation defeated Kazuya Komada (WMU) in three sets at the No. 2 position to improve his record to 6-1 on the year. At the No. 4 spot, Francois Van Impe took down Simon Blomberg (WMU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, while Benedikt Lindheim (NU) beat Casey Cullen (WMU) at the No. 5 spot. Head coach Kerry McDemott pointed to the play of Paar, Van Impe and Lindheim as the key in the match.

"I thought Calin Paar played extremely well," McDermott said. "Benedikt (Lindheim) and Francois (Van Impe) played really well to. I thought all three of those players took care of business and showed the rest of the team how to play aggressive and hard."

At the No. 6 spot, Andre Stenger (NU) picked up this first singles victory of the season after defeating Brad Noel (WMU) 7-6, 6-2.

In doubles, Stenger and Christopher Aumueller (NU) were able to get the Huskers going after taking down Thomas Calderone and Michael Calderone (WMU) 8-4 at the No. 2 spot. The duo is now 3-0 when playing together. Van Impe and Lindheim were also able to pick up a victory for the Huskers at the No. 3 spot defeating Pablo Olivarz and Cullen (WMU) 8-4.

"It was a good match for us," McDermott said.  "I thought we played really well. I think we played aggressive and really tried to take it to them. We did a good job of getting the doubles point and kind of dominating after that. We'll have some good thing happen for us this year, we just have to keep playing aggressive like we did tonight."

NU returns to action on March 3 when they take on Drake at the Nebraska Tennis Center. First serve is set for 6 p.m.

Complete Results
NU 5, WMU 2
Singles
1. Michael Calderone (WMU) def. #53 Christopher Aumueller (NEB) 6-2, 1-0, retired
2. #92 Calin Paar (NEB) def. Kazuya Komada (WMU) 6-1, 1-6, 6-2
3. Pablo Olivarez (WMU) def. David Bendheim (NEB) 7-5, 6-2
4. Francois Van Impe (NEB) def. Simon Blomberg (WMU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
5. Bendikt Lindheim (NEB) def. Casey Cullen (WMU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Andre Stenger (NEB) def. Brad Noel (WMU) 7-6, 6-2

Doubles
1. Zeyad Montasser/Kazuya Komada (WMU) def. #35 David Bendheim/Calin Paar (NEB) 8-6
2. Andre Stenger/Christopher Aumueller (NEB) def. Thomas Calderone/Michael Calderone (WMU) 8-4
3. Bendikt Lindheim/Francois Van Impe (NEB) def. Pablo Olivarez/Casey Cullen (WMU) 8-4
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (1,5,3,6,4,2)