Box Scores - vs. Aurora, vs. Rockford

AURORA/ROCKFORD, Ill. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University men's tennis team split a pair of Northern Athletics Conference matches by defeating Rockford and falling to Aurora, both on the road, this afternoon, April 7.

The Sabres started the day with a 10 a.m. tilt against the Aurora Spartans, in which they fought hard, but were overmatched. The Spartans took all nine points, winning all six singles matches in straight sets.

In doubles, the top pairing for the Sabres, James Kapolnek and Jory Lawson, gave the top Spartan duo of Ricky Hernandez and Brian Koski a good run. Despite dropping the match, the Sabre combo fought to an 8-6 final.

The Sabres then traveled West to Rockford where they took on a lesser Regent squad. Five of six singles matches ended in straight set wins in favor of the Sabres. James Kapolnek (6-0, 6-2), Joseph Bertram (6-1, 6-1), Mark Keller (6-4, 6-1) and Mike Keller (6-4, 6-0) each picked up their first career singles victories.

Jory Lawson picked up his first win of the year with a 7-5, 6-0 win over Mladen Ubiparipovic.

In doubles, Lawson and Kapolnek picked up an 8-5 victory at No. 1, while Bertram and Andrew Bales won 8-3 at No. 2 and the Keller brothers took home an 8-3 win at No. 3 singles.

The Sabres improve to 1-2 on the season, 1-1 in NAC play, while the Spartans move to 2-3 (2-0 NAC) and the Regents fell to 0-4 (0-3 NAC).

Marian will be back in action this Wednesday, April 11, to take on Edgewood College. First serve is slated for 3 p.m. in Madison.