CLEMSON, S.C. - First-year Carter Pate picked up the first singles victory of his collegiate career and Felix Nordby improved to 4-1 in dual singles action over the weekend, but Northwestern men's tennis (2-5) dropped matches to both Vanderbilt (7-2) and Clemson (7-0) on the road.
Head coach Arvid Swan's squad began the weekend in Nashville, where they faced off with Vanderbilt in an afternoon dual. The Commodores got off to a hot start, picking up the doubles point with a pair of 6-3 wins. They then added on early in singles play, securing wins on both the No. 1 and No. 2 courts in 6-4, 6-2 straight sets.
With the Commodores up 3-0, Nordby put Northwestern on the board with a singles victory at the No. 3 position. The 7-5, 6-3 win was Nordby's fourth of dual season, with all four coming at singles No. 3 or higher.
Following that, Pate brought the 'Cats a point closer with a three-set win at No. 4 singles. After winning the first set 6-4, Pate bounced back from a 3-6 loss in the second set to close out his first collegiate singles win with a 6-4 win in the third set.
Chad Miller took his match at No. 6 singles to a super tiebreak after the Commodores clinched, but couldn't outlast his opponent, falling 6-3, 4-6, 0-1 (7-10).
The weekend road trip continued for Northwestern on Sunday at Clemson, where the Wildcats were faced with an undefeated Tigers team. Clemson continued the dominant start to its season with a 4-0 sweep of the 'Cats, using the doubles point as well as victories at No. 1, No. 4 and No. 6 singles to seal the deal.
Senior Max Bengtsson picked up a first-set victory at No. 5 before his match went unfinished, and Greyson Casey had evened the second set at four games apiece against the ITA's No. 118 singles player, Wissam Abderrahman, before his match was abandoned as well.
The 'Cats will return home next Saturday to host Illinois State and IU Indy in a doubleheader at Combe Tennis Center. Matches are set to begin at 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. CT.
Head coach Arvid Swan's squad began the weekend in Nashville, where they faced off with Vanderbilt in an afternoon dual. The Commodores got off to a hot start, picking up the doubles point with a pair of 6-3 wins. They then added on early in singles play, securing wins on both the No. 1 and No. 2 courts in 6-4, 6-2 straight sets.
With the Commodores up 3-0, Nordby put Northwestern on the board with a singles victory at the No. 3 position. The 7-5, 6-3 win was Nordby's fourth of dual season, with all four coming at singles No. 3 or higher.
Following that, Pate brought the 'Cats a point closer with a three-set win at No. 4 singles. After winning the first set 6-4, Pate bounced back from a 3-6 loss in the second set to close out his first collegiate singles win with a 6-4 win in the third set.
Chad Miller took his match at No. 6 singles to a super tiebreak after the Commodores clinched, but couldn't outlast his opponent, falling 6-3, 4-6, 0-1 (7-10).
The weekend road trip continued for Northwestern on Sunday at Clemson, where the Wildcats were faced with an undefeated Tigers team. Clemson continued the dominant start to its season with a 4-0 sweep of the 'Cats, using the doubles point as well as victories at No. 1, No. 4 and No. 6 singles to seal the deal.
Senior Max Bengtsson picked up a first-set victory at No. 5 before his match went unfinished, and Greyson Casey had evened the second set at four games apiece against the ITA's No. 118 singles player, Wissam Abderrahman, before his match was abandoned as well.
The 'Cats will return home next Saturday to host Illinois State and IU Indy in a doubleheader at Combe Tennis Center. Matches are set to begin at 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. CT.