NIU women’s tennis freshman Irmak Budak has been named the Northern Star’s Huskie of the Week after wins against Eastern Michigan University and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks in the Huskies’ respective 5-2, 7-0 victories on Saturday.

Budak won a key match for the Huskies against Eastern Michigan, defeating freshman Viktorie Hazmukoua to level the score for NIU. Budak took a 6-4 first set before Hazmukoua won a 6-3 set to force a tiebreaker. In the third set, Budak pulled out a 7-5 win to secure the point for the Huskies in their first Mid-American Conference win. 

Against Whitewater, Budak won her doubles match with partner sophomore Sydney Paradise, rolling through a 6-1 set. 

At the No.1 singles spot against the Warhawks, Budak defeated Warhawk junior Gracie Ha in 6-4, 6-1 sets. 

This is Budak’s first Huskie of the Week honor and the third for women’s tennis following junior Nataly Ninova and freshman Lucia Yecora. 

The Huskies continue MAC play at noon Friday in Muncie, Indiana, against the Ball State University Cardinals.

The next Huskie of the Week will be announced March 24. 

The Northern Star sports section’s Huskie of the Week is voted for on a weekly basis. Student-athletes considered for this week’s edition were selected based on their performance in competitions taking place March 10 to March 16.