Husker Compete in Final Home Match

Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska men's tennis team competed in its final home match on Sunday against the No. 11 Ohio State Buckeyes where they played a highly competitive match but fell 4-1. With this also being the final regular match of the season, the Huskers finish the year with a 10-13 finish and a 3-8 mark in Big Ten competition. Nebraska will participate in the Big Ten Championship tournament beginning on April 23.

The Huskers played very competitive and close matches in doubles to kick off the meet. Marc Herrmann and Chris Hobgarski finished up first at No. 3 against nationally ranked duo No. 80 Hunter Callahan and Chris Diaz. Callahan and Diaz took the win but not without a fight from Herrmann and Hobgarski who went 8-5. At No. 1 Dusty Boyer and Bradford Zitsch took on No. 4 Kevin Metka and Ralf Steinbach where Ohio State produced a win of 8-6. Scott Elsass and Linus Erhart played at No. 2 against Herkko Pollanen and Mikael Torpegaard but did not finish their match. 

Marc Herrmann played the Buckeye's Herkko Pollanen at No. 3 where Herrmann started the first set on top but was unable to hold the lead going 7-5, 6-1. 

At No. 2, Linus Erhart competed against No. 42 Chris Diaz in a tough match where Diaz went 6-4, 6-4 over Erhart. 

Dusty Boyer had an impressive performance at No. 1 against a nationally ranked No. 37 Mikael Torpegaard. In the first set, Torpegaard took the upper hand going 5-7. Boyer regained control in the second set where he went 6-3 followed by a 6-2 win in a heated match. 

Andrew Dzulynsky wrapped up the day at No. 4 where he took on Hunter Callahan. Dzulynsky played hard but ultimately lost in a 6-3, 6-3 match. 

At No. 5, Bradford Zitsch began competition against Kevin Metka leaving off with the lead at 6-5 but did not finish the match. Scott Elsass also began at No. 6 against No. 88 Ralf Steinbach where they left off at 6-1, 2-0, Steinbach with the lead. 

"I thought we played a competitive match," said Coach McDermott. "Ohio State showed us why they are in the top 25 and we are not. We actually played pretty competitive matches at No. 1 and 2 in doubles, we had some chances. Coming in to singles, we had a lead at No. 1, 2, and 3 singles and I thought if we can get these first sets we could have an opportunity to pull a big upset. Again, they came through with those first sets and that really gave them an advantage. I liked the fact that our guys still competed hard. We left it out there but just got beat by a better team today. We feel like going in to the Big Ten tournament, if we competed like we did today, we feel like we have a chance winning our first round next week." 

Nebraska - 1

Ohio State - 4

 

Singles 

No. 1 - Dusty Boyer (NEB) def. No. 37 Mikael Torpegaard (OSU) 5-7, 6-3, 6-2

No. 2 - No. 42 Chris Diaz (OSU) def. Linus Erhart (NEB) 6-4, 6-4

No. 3 - Herkko Pollanen (OSU) def. Marc Herrmann (NEB) 7-5, 6-1

No. 4 - Hunter Callahan (OSU) def. Andrew Dzulynsky (NEB) 6-3, 6-3

No. 5 - Bradford Zitsch (NEB) vs. Kevin Metka (OSU) 6-5 dnf

No. 6 - No. 88 Ralf Steinbach (OSU) vs. Scott Elsass (NEB) 6-1, 2-0 dnf

 

Doubles 

No. 1 - No. 4 Kevin Metka/Ralf Steinbach (OSU) def. Dusty Boyer/Bradford Zitsch (NEB) 8-6

No. 2 - Herkko Pollanen/Mikael Torpegaard (OSU) vs. Linus Erhart/Scott Elsass (NEB) 7-6 dnf

No. 3 - No. 80 Chris Diaz/Hunter Callahan (OSU) def. Marc Herrmann/Chris Hobgarski (OSU) 8-5