HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky's men's tennis hits the road for ITS first back to back match days of the season. The Norse will first travel to the University of Kentucky on Friday, February 7, followed by Thomas More on Saturday, February 8. Friday's match is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Lexington while Saturday's first serve is set for 5 p.m.
 
NKU's men are coming off a 5-2 loss to Lipscomb. In the match, Andrew Niehaus secured the first point in No. 2 singles with a 6-3, 6-2 victory. With that win, Niehaus now leads the Norse in singles wins, going 2-1 on the year. Emilien Burnel rounded out scoring for NKU with his first collegiate singles win, going an extended set in the No. 3 match, 7-5, before blanking his opponent in the second.
 
UK holds a 6-2 record with two of those wins coming from fellow Horizon League opponents, Cleveland State and IUPUI, 7-0 and 4-0, respectively. The Wildcats are coming off a 2-5 loss to Oklahoma, which ultimately dropped them from the No. 24 spot in the Oracle/ITA rankings, while Oklahoma squeezed its way back in to the No. 25 spot. UK's only other loss came at No. 7 Wake Forest, 4-2. Kentucky's freshman, Liam Draxl, was named the No. 2 Freshman/Newcomer last fall, while another rookie, Alexandre LeBlanc, ended the fall season as the No. 55 overall singles player. Draxl has begun his debut at 3-2, while LeBlanc has notched one more win, holding a 4-1 record. LeBlanc has also had a spotless performance in the doubles compartment, sporting a 7-0 record. Six of those victories came with doubles partner Kevin Huempfner.

Thomas More is 2-1 on the season, with the lone loss of the year coming against Hanover, 4-3. Both of its wins were clean sweeps, coming against Miami-Middletown and league opponent, Shawnee State. Sophomore Gavin Dail was named the Mid-South Men's Tennis Player of the Week after a No. 1 doubles and No. 1 singles win against Shawnee State. The Saints have found success in singles action, going 9-1 thus far on the year. Doubles teams of Gavin Dail/Jared Haught in the No. 1 spot and Jaret Fidler/Brandon Kwok on the No. 3 court have found the most success, with a record of 2-0.
 
For more information on NKU men's and women's tennis program, follow the team on Twitter @NKUNorseTennis, Instagram @nkunorsetennis or at facebook.com/nkunorsetennis.