WHITE BEAR LAKE, MINN. – The University of Northwestern men's tennis team opened 2020 action at Lifetime Fitness as they met up with nonconference opponent, Saint Mary's University on Friday night. The season opener was a battle to the very end, with four singles matches decided by tiebreakers. The Cardinals were able to sneak away with the win, in a 6-3 final.
 
The Eagles recorded just one doubles win (at the no. 1 spot) as Davis Pfaff (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) and Matthew Wedin (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield) put together an 8-5 win over SMU's no. 2 and 3 players.
 
The Eagles clinched wins at the no. 2 and 4 singles positions as Matthew Wedin (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield) fell in a quick 6-0 set one, before coming back to down Brandon Kurilla 6-3 (10-4) to clinch the comeback win. Jack Geurkink (Hudson, Wis./Hudson) was tied up at 2-2 in the no. 4 singles match when he won due to a Cardinal injury.

Davis Pfaff (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove), Tyrus Studer (Rapid City, S.D./Stevens) and Joel Fremling (Aitkin, Minn./Hudson) each pushed their matches into tiebreak situation, before dropping in close battles.
 
Northwestern will have another chance to take on a strong MIAC opponent when they take on Saint John's University on Saturday, Feb. 8. First serve is slated for 1 p.m. at STA-FIT in Sartell, Minn.
 
Follow the Eagles online this season at www.unweagles.com or on Instagram at @unw_tennis.