Rookie player Miko Eala put in the lone point for the Penn State University Nittany Lions after they fell to a 1-6 loss to the 25th ranked Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
The elder brother of tennis star Alexandra Eala, a recruit from the Rafa Nadal Academy, defeated junior player Trice Pickens in three sets, 3-6, 6-3, 10-8, in the second singles.
With the victory, the Nittany Lions fell to their second straight loss in Division 1 of the United States National Collegiate Athletic Association tennis tournament.
“I am disappointed we lost, but our true freshmen are really playing well,” head coach said Jeff Zinn on the University’s official website.
It was Eala’s second consecutive triumph in the singles.
The last time around, Eala prevailed over Kweisi Kenyatte, 7-5, 4-6, 11-9, when the Nittany Lions fell to a 2-5 setback in tournament opener to the University of Illinois Fighting Illini.
“Courts were much slower than what the guys are used to, some adjusted well, while others struggled closing out points sooner. Great job to our freshman Miko for picking up a win over a veteran Northwestern player,” said assistant coach Paul Tobin.
PSU doubles partners Alp Sentay and Bora Sengul fell to Chris Ephron and Dominik Stary 4-6.
Then, Northwestern’s duo in Gleb Bleker and Natan Spear defeated Christian Lakoseljac and Eala, 6-2.