LINCOLN, Neb. – Entering the second half of the season stacked up against a challenging Big Ten conference, head coach Danny Westerman stressed the importance of toughness for the No. 37 Wisconsin men's tennis team. 

During an away match on Sunday against No. 71 Nebraska, the Badgers (13-1, 3-0 Big Ten) displayed that highly coveted toughness that Westerman preaches, defeating the Huskers 4-3 in a comeback win.

The Badgers achieved more than just their seventh straight victory, however. UW also rewrote the history books, capturing the best start in program history at 13-1. 

"It was a great effort by our guys to stay in the match when we were down early," said Westerman. "We didn't start the match well in doubles and several first sets, but that's also credit to Nebraska, they were ready to go. We showed exceptional toughness to turn the match around and find a way to close out all four wins in three sets."

Nebraska got on the board first after claiming the overall doubles point against Wisconsin. Sophomores Josef Dodridge and Lamar Remy fell to Toby and Dusty Boyer, 6-1, at the No. 1 spot. Marc Herrmann and Scott Elsass also defeated sophomore Chema Carranza and senior Jakhongir Jalalov, 6-3, at the No. 2 position.  

In singles play, the Badgers battled back from falling at the No. 1 and 2 slots to lock up the final four matches in a down to the wire competition.
 

Five matches went to three sets, with UW picking up critical victories in four. Lamar Remy defeated Toby Boyer, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, to get the Badgers on the board. 
 

Freshman Osgar O'Hoisin also found success, earning a hard-fought win over Tomislav Antoljak, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. Chema Carranza then tied the match up, defeating Andrew Dzulynsky, 7-6 (6-2), 3-6, 6-3, at the No. 5 position. 
 

For the second consecutive time, the fate of the Badgers came down to junior John Zordani at the No. 6 slot. After winning his first set but falling in the second, Zordani gritted out a tight third set victory, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (8-6), against Bradford Zitsch to secure the match for Wisconsin.

Zordani has played just four matches this spring, but has proved to be clutch under pressure as his last two performances have been game-winners for UW. 

"It all came down to Zordani again," Westerman said. "He trusted his game at the most important moments and played to win at the end. I'm very proud with the overall toughness of the team."

Feeling poised and confident, Wisconsin looks to continue its win streak next weekend when it travels to No. 12 Northwestern and No. 10 Illinois. The Badgers will face the Wildcats on Friday at 6 p.m. (CT), and the Illini on Sunday at 2 p.m. (CT). 

Results – Mar. 27

MEN'S SINGLES:

1. Dusty Boyer (NEB) def. Josef Dodridge (WIS), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4

2. Marc Herrmann (NEB) def. Alexander Kokorev (WIS), 6-1, 6-3

3. Lamar Remy (WIS) def. Toby Boyer (NEB), 2-6, 6-3, 6-4

4. Osgar O'Hoisin (WIS) def. Tomislav Antoljak (NEB), 5-7, 6-1, 6-2

5. Chema Carranza (WIS) def. Andrew Dzulynsky (NEB), 7-6 (6-2), 3-6, 6-3

6. John Zordani (WIS) def. Bradford Zitsch (NEB), 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (8-6)

MEN'S DOUBLES:

1. Dusty Boyer/Toby Boyer (NEB) def. Lamar Remy/Josef Dodridge (WIS), 6-1

2. Marc Herrmann/Scott Elsass (NEB) def. Chema Carranza/Jakhongir Jalolov (WIS), 6-3

3. Andrew Dzulynsky/Bradford Zitsch (NEB) vs. John Zordani/Darius Mackenzie (WIS), 4-3