#25 Bulldogs Claim Home-Opening Victory By Handling NAIA Powerhouse Northwestern Ohio

Big Rapids, Mich. - The nationally 25th-ranked Ferris State University men's tennis squad picked up its first victory of the season as FSU topped Northwestern Ohio 7-2 in non-league action on Sunday (Feb. 11) in the Bulldogs' home opener at the FSU Racquet and Fitness Center in Big Rapids.

The win evened FSU's mark at 1-1 on the year and represented the first victory for the squad under first-year head coach Daniel Hangstefer.

The Bulldogs took control early as Ferris State swept the doubles round with scores of 8-2, 8-4 and 8-6 from the first to third spots, respectively.

In singles action, Ferris State won the top three positions with Steward Sell (#1), Nur Adim Iswan Ramdani (#2) and Daniil Tarantinov (#3) all claiming straight-set wins. FSU also got a 6-0, 6-1 victory from Pablo Munoz Barjoa at the number six flight.

Along with being ranked 25th in the country, the Bulldogs are also listed third in the ITA's Midwest Regional Rankings.

Prior to the setback to FSU, the Racers had battled GLIAC member Northwood close in a 5-4 setback on Saturday (Feb. 10) in Midland. Northwestern Ohio was ranked fifth in the NAIA Coaches' Preseason Top 25 National Poll.

The Bulldogs have presently won the last three consecutive GLIAC Regular-Season Championships in men's tennis and are the two-time defending league tournament champions. FSU has reached the NCAA Division II Elite Eight each of the past two years and made a school all-time best Final Four showing in 2016.

Ferris State will wrap up a three-match homestand with a pair of non-conference matches this coming week at the Racquet and Fitness Center. The Bulldogs host Aquinas on Saturday (Feb. 17) and Hillsdale on Sunday (Feb. 18) with both contests getting underway at 10 a.m. (ET).

Below are the complete match results:

#25 Ferris State 7, Northwestern Ohio 2
Feb 11, 2018 at Big Rapids, Mich.