Big Red Top 40 After NCAA Tournament Run, Season Recap

In its second season led by head coach Peter Kobelt, the Nebraska men’s tennis team made program history again. After earning their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2011, and third-ever, the Huskers reached the College Station Regional after a strong regular season. The Big Red concluded the 2024-25 season ranked No. 39 in the ITA final team rankings, which stands as NU’s highest end of season rank ever.

Nebraska finished the year with a 15-10 record, going 8-5 in Big Ten play, for the most conference wins in a single season. The Big Red began the spring season 7-3 through their non-conference slate. The Huskers’ early season was highlighted by their trip to the ITA Kickoff Weekend and hosting Baylor to set an attendance record.

All but one of Nebraska’s conference foes were ranked, taking on four top-20 teams. NU hosted #17 Michigan and #36 Michigan State for the second weekend of Big Ten play, and put up a huge 5-2 upset against the Wolverines. After dropping the doubles point, No. 1 singles Calvin Mueller took down No. 61 Benjamin Kittay to even the match. The Huskers took care of courts three through six to claim the victory.

Another highlight for the Huskers was their closing weekend win over #26 USC. Playing in Lincoln and hoping to solidify a ticket to the NCAA Tournament, the Big Red showed up. After claiming the doubles point, Anton Shepp and Lars Johann put the upset within reach. At No. 6 singles, Joan Torres Espinosa had a clutch match against Niels Hoffman to clinch the 4-2 victory. 

Nebraska fell 4-3 in its Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals match against Washington, but continued its postseason, being selected for the College Station Regional. The Huskers took on #19 Baylor in the tournament appearance, but could not pick up the win.

Senior Mueller wrapped up his final season in the ITA singles rankings, coming in at No. 74. He earned his second-career All-Big Ten First Team selection after competing in the No. 1 singles and doubles positions. Mueller joined Dusty Boyer and Christopher Aumueller as the only Huskers to earn multiple all-conference first team singles accolades. In his fourth and final season, the business administration major tallied two ranked wins and has been consistently in the ITA national rankings week to week. Facing 11 ranked opponents, Mueller went 10-9 in the spring regular season, including nine straight-set victories.

On the doubles side, Mueller posted an 8-3 conference record, going 5-0 partnered with Johann to close the regular season. In his career, Mueller has tallied 63 singles wins and 56 doubles victories. He has a combined 30 wins at the conclusion of his senior regular season.

Also earning a conference honor, Roni Hietaranta was named a Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree. Hietaranta put up an 11-6 senior season, going 9-4 in the spring and 5-2 in Big Ten play. He has accomplished over 50 career singles wins and been a staple piece of Nebraska’s success in the 2024-25 season. Coming back from rehabbing an injury, the Husker secured essential victories, helping the Big Red to win the most conference matches in program history.

Off the court, two Huskers (Henry Bilicic and Hietaranta) were named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars. Six student-athletes earned Academic All-Big Ten Honors; Hietaranta, Johann, Mueller, Bilicic, Leo Linquet and Colson Wells. All 11 Huskers were selected for the 2025 Tom Osborne Citizenship Team.