Big Red Deal Rebels’ First Loss

With a dominant start claiming the first four team points, the Nebraska men’s tennis team improved to 5-3 on the spring season while handing Ole Miss (6-1) its first loss on Friday afternoon, 4-3. 

The Big Red clinched the match with the doubles point and wins at number two, three and four singles. The Rebels finished the dual strong, taking the remaining three points in third sets.

Starting with doubles at the Galtney Indoor Tennis Center, the Huskers dominated, with duo Leo Linquet and Joan Torres Espinosa winning first on Court Three. The pair improved to 6-2 in the spring, defeating Milburn/Lestir 6-4. To clinch the doubles point, Lars Johann and Anton Shepp claimed Court One, 6-4, over Schlagenhauf/Stromberg. Court Two was left unfinished, with Huskers Calvin Mueller and Nikolay Sysoev leading 5-3 against Martin/Chambonniere.

After claiming the doubles point, the Big Red and the Rebels began singles matches. At No. 2 singles, Shepp defeated Kamrowski in straight sets, 7-6(1), 6-3, to put another point on the board for NU. Next to finish was Johann on Court Four. The junior bested Lestir 6-0, 4-6, 6-4. To clinch the match, at No. 3 singles, Sysoev rallied to take down Stromberg, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. On Court One, Mueller faced the lone ranked Rebel, #101 Noah Schlagenhauf. The Husker was forced to retire early in the third set, dropping the match by retirement. At No. 6 singles, Linquet battled, but fell to Chambonniere, 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3. The last match on, at No. 5 singles, Roni Hietaranta faced Martin in a tight three-set match. The Husker came close, but lost in the 10-point tiebreaker, 7-6(5), 5-7, 1-0 [10-8].

Despite the rough final matches, Nebraska won the dual 4-3, to get back in the win column and take down the undefeated Rebels. With the win, the Huskers improve to 2-0 all-time against Ole Miss. Johann and Torres Espinosa each notched their 30th career doubles wins, and Nebraska will head into Sunday 5-3, matching its eight-dual opening stretch from the 2023-24 season.

UP NEXT
The Big Red road trip continues on Sunday, Feb. 16, as Nebraska takes on Tulsa at noon (CT).

Nebraska 4, Ole Miss 3
Doubles competition:
1. Lars Johann/Anton Shepp (NEB) def. Noah Schlagenhauf/Isac Stromberg (OM) 6-4
2. Calvin Mueller/Nikolay Sysoev (NEB) vs. Benjamin Martin/M. Chambonniere (OM) 5-3 UF
3. Leo Linquet/Joan Torres Espinosa (NEB) def. Kai Milburn/Loan Lestir (OM) 6-4

Singles competition:
1. #101 Noah Schlagenhauf (OM) def. Calvin Mueller (NEB) 3-6, 7-6(6), 2-1 RET.
2. Anton Shepp (NEB) def. Marcel Kamrowski (OM) 7-6(1), 6-3
3. Nikolay Sysoev (NEB) def. Isac Stromberg (OM) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
4. Lars Johann (NEB) def. Loan Lestin (OM) 6-0, 4-6, 6-4
5. Benjamin Martin (OM) def. Roni Hietaranta (NEB) 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3
6. M. Chambonniere (OM) def. Leo Linquet (NEB) 7-6(7), 3-6, 6-3