The Illinois Springfield men's tennis team battled closely with Purdue Northwest on Saturday, falling 4-3 in a competitive fall matchup. The Pride, who finished last spring ranked No. 29 in Division II men's tennis by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, took the doubles point and held off a late UIS push in singles play.

The Pride earned the doubles point after a pair of narrow wins. Pablo Herrera and Kai Van-Roon fell 7-5 at No. 1 doubles, while Lin En Tan and Miran Todorovic dropped a tight 7-5 battle at No. 2. Antonio Ayerbe Streubel and Lukas Pieringer were defeated 6-1 at No. 3.

UIS responded with a strong showing in singles, winning three of six courts. Pablo Herrera battled at the top spot to win 5-7, 6-1, 10-6. Lin En Tan came from behind for a 3-6, 6-4, 10-8 win at No. 3 singles, and Kai Van-Roon picked up a straight-sets victory at No. 4, 6-3, 6-4.

Antonio Ayerbe Streubel (6-3, 6-1), Luke Pennington (6-2, 6-2), and Miran Todorovic (6-1, 6-0) each dropped their matches as the Pride secured the 4-3 team result.

Up Next
The Prairie Stars continue their fall schedule at the Dwight Davis College Open in St. Louis, Oct. 17–19.