Box Score vs. Southern Illinois
Box Score vs. Northern Illinois

ROCKFORD, Ill. (2/1/2014) -- The Titan netters were in action on Saturday with a pair of matches and once again, it came down to the wire as the University of Detroit Mercy men's tennis team downed Southern Illinois, 4-3, and fell to Northern Illinois, 7-0, at the Boylan Tennis Center.

"I was very proud of the way this team played and kept fighting," said head coach Grant Asher. "We didn't play our best, but we were able to play hard and get a win against Southern Illinois."

UDM (2-4) and SIU (0-4) were battling it out and the match came down to No. 4 singles with Titan sophomore Rafael Orantes falling behind Szymon Opieczonek 6-2 after the first set, but he came back to win the second, 6-2. With the team score at 3-3, Orantes  - just like last week against Duquesne - was able to hold strong and beat Opieczonek, 6-3 to raise the red, white and blue to a victory.

"I didn't think too much that it was all down to my match," said Orantes. "I am usually one of the last playing so I knew there was a chance. We started slow after a long trip to get out here, but we were able to play together and get a win."

"I have to give a big thanks to assistant coach Cesar Escobar Serrano who once again was with Rafael and really did a good job coaching him for another win under pressure," said Coach Asher.

Detroit got behind early for the second-straight week as Southern Illinois took two of three in doubles for the first point. Detroit's lone win was at No. 2 as Orantes teamed with freshman Chance Conley for a 6-2 triumph.

In singles, senior Bobby Cawood won his bout at No. 2 in thrilling fashion, 6-5 (5), 6-5 (3), while freshman Patryk Koscielski cruised to a Jorge Cavero 6-2, 6-0 triumph at No. 3. Freshman Ismail Kadyrov was also able to hold off a Saluki charge winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

"It was exciting to get the win like that. This team pushes each other and we were able to really give each other that extra energy out there and come out with a win," added Cawood.

Against NIU, Detroit fought hard but lost the doubles point dropping a pair of 6-3 affairs. Orantes almost won his singles match falling in two tiebreaks, 6-5 (5), 6-5 (3), and Kadyrov came close with a long 6-5 (10), 6-4, setback.

"It was a tough day playing two matches, but these guys really worked hard," said Coach Asher. "We don't play a lot of doubleheaders and I wanted to put this team in a situation that was uncomfortable because it will only help them in tough situations and matches once the Horizon League comes."

Detroit will continue its road swing tomorrow as the Titans visit Wisconsin-Whitewater at the Premier Tennis & Fitness in Janesville, Wis. Match time is set for 9:00 a.m.