KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The No. 1 seeded Western Michigan men's tennis team defeated No. 3 seed Northern Illinois University 4-3 to capture its second consecutive Mid-American Conference Championship and 13th in program history on Sunday afternoon at Sorensen Courts. 

The Broncos spared no theatrics, going up 3-0 before allowing the Huskies to roar back and tie the match. Freshman Peter Kuszynski clinched the victory at court five in a third-set tiebreaker over Mikko Malinen, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (3). 

"We've had a lot of dramatic wins over the years, and this one ranks right up there," said head coach Dave Morin, who earned his 13th MAC Tournament Title at the helm. "Peter has been money for us."

WMU took the doubles point with wins on courts one and three from Opitz/Nouchi and Haupt/Schnobel and carried the momentum into the singles. Opitz and Haupt were first off the court with 6-3, 6-3 wins each to give the Brown & Gold a 3-0 advantage. 

NIU didn't languish, however, taking the Broncos into third sets in each remaining match and eventually winning at courts two, six, and four to knot the match at 3-3. Kuszynski's heroics in the tie break then sent the Broncos dancing into the NCAA Tournament while he was award the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. 

"When I won the second set and saw some of the other guys' scores I knew that I had to embrace it and have some courage," Kuszynski commented. "I can't even explain the feeling and this is arguably the greatest day in my tennis career."
 

.@WMUMensTennis is headed back to the NCAA Tournament for the 2nd straight season, 3rd time in 4 years, and 13th time under HC Dave Morin. Here's what pure jubilation looks like when Peter Kuszynski clinched it in a 3rd set tie-break. @WMUBroncos @MACSports pic.twitter.com/3SLmGGU7I0

— Mike McCann (@MikeWWMT) April 21, 2019

Western Michigan 4, Northern Illinois 3
 
Singles competition
1. Jannik Opitz (MTENWMU) def. Eric Marbach (NIU) 6-3, 6-3
2. Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) def. Kennosuke Nouchi (MTENWMU) 7-5, 2-6, 6-2
3. Lenhard Haupt (MTENWMU) def. David Pata (NIU) 6-3, 6-3
4. Kristopher Ortega (NIU) def. Matej Svjetlicic (MTENWMU) 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
5. Peter Kuszynski (MTENWMU) def. Mikko Malinen (NIU) 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
6. Victor Spolidorio (NIU) def. Jack Randall (MTENWMU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. Jannik Opitz/Kennosuke Nouchi (MTENWMU) def. Mikko Malinen/Victor Spolidorio (NIU) 6-1
2. Peter Kuszynski/Jack Randall (MTENWMU) vs. David Pata/Bor Schweiger Muzar (NIU) 6-6, unfinished
3. Lenhard Haupt/Nick Schnobel (MTENWMU) def. Eric Marbach/Kristopher Ortega (NIU) 6-4

All-Tournament Team:
Marko Guzina – Ball State
Hao Sheng Koay – Buffalo
Victor Spolidorio – NIU
Bor Schweiger Muzar – NIU
Lenhard Haupt – Western Michigan
Peter Kuszynski – Western Michigan

Tournament Most Outstanding Player: Peter Kuszynski – Western Michigan 

WMU will be making its third NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four seasons and will wait to find out its next opponent during the NCAA Selection Show next Monday, April 29 at 6 p.m.

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