UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.-- The Penn State men's tennis team (7-8, 0-1 B1G) fell in a 4-3 match to No. 20 Northwestern (12-5, 1-0 B1G) on Friday night.
"We played to our potential today, putting ourselves in a positions to win. As a coach that is all I can ask for. We played Northwestern, a No.20 team, we just have to keep believing one of these matches will turn in our favor and they will if we keep up our spirits," said head coach Jeff Zinn. "We played great doubles today and we are ready for Illinois on Sunday and will show up to play how we did today."
DOUBLES
Penn State secured an early lead over Northwestern with doubles wins on courts two and three.
Malik Bhatnagar and Charl Morgan dropped a 6-4 contest to Steven Forman and Felix Nordby on court one.
Duo Alexander Karman and Sam Bossem defeated Natan Spear and Trice Pickens of Northwestern 7-5 on court three to tie up doubles play.
At No. 2, Chikaya Sato and Bora Sengul earned a victory over Simen Bratholm and Brian Berdusco 7-6 (15-13) to claim the doubles point.
SINGLES
Northwestern was able to rebound in single's play with wins on courts one, two, three and four.
Bossem secured Penn State's first singles win over Berdusco in a three-set match on court five, 4-6, 6-2, 10-6.
On court six, Morgan defeated Felix Nordy in straight set 7-5, 6-4.
RESULTS
Northwestern 4, Penn State 3
Doubles Results
1. Steven Forman/ Felix Nordby (NU) def. Malik Bhatnagar/Charl Morgan (PSU) 6-4
2. Chikaya Sato/Bora Sengul (PSU) def. Simen Bratholm/ Brian Berdusco (NU) 7-6 (13-15)
3. Alexander Karman/Sam Bossem (PSU) def. Natan Spear/ Trice Pickens (NU) 7-5
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2
Singles Results
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#37 Steven Forman (NU) def. Malik Bhatnagar (PSU) 6-4, 6-3
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Simen Bratholm (NU) def. Miko Eala (PSU) 6-2, 7-6 (7-0)
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Trice Pickens (NU) def. Chikaya Sato (PSU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-1
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Presley Thieneman (NU) def. Loren Byers 6-3, 6-7(4-7), 6-3
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Sam Bossem (PSU) def. Brian Berdusco (NU) 4-6, 6-2, (10-6)
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Charl Morgan (PSU) def. Felix Nordby (NU) 7-5, 6-4
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions will host Illinois and Mount Saint Mary's for a doubleheader on Sunday, March 27 at noon EST.
Check GoPSUSports.com for coverage of the Penn State men's tennis team during the season. Follow the team on Twitter @pennstateMTEN, Instagram @pennstatemtennis and on Facebook at facebook.com/pennstatemenstennis.