Fresh off a record-breaking season ending with a loss to the University at Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference Championship match and a bid to the UTR Sports National Invitational Tennis Championship, NIU women’s tennis announced its 2025-2026 schedule on Sept. 16.
“Coming off a successful season last year, I thought it was important to continue to challenge the team to see where we can go,” said NIU women’s tennis head coach Eric Burns via NIU Athletics. “We believe this schedule gives us a great chance to be ready and at our best for MAC play and to continue improving our program.”
NIU welcomes three new freshmen to its roster, while retaining all non-senior members from last season. Senior Nataly Ninova set the record for most single wins in a season last season, while sophomore Lucia Yecora finished her freshman campaign with a 19-2 singles record.
With 25 dual matches, 15 of which will take place in DeKalb, the Huskies look to avenge their MAC Championship in their final season as a member of the conference.
The Huskies return home to host the NIU Huskie Indoor Invitational, which will take place from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, with Chicago State University, Indiana University Indianapolis, the University of Illinois Chicago and Marquette University taking part.
NIU opens its spring 2026 dual season at home on Jan. 16 and 17, hosting the University of Wisconsin and the University of Missouri. Wisconsin finished the 2025 spring season ranked No. 23, while Missouri was nationally ranked multiple times throughout last season.
The Huskies host another Power 4 opponent, the University of Minnesota, on Jan. 31. Coming off a record-breaking season, Burns talked about the unique opportunity for NIU to host high-caliber opponents.
“The dual match schedule, in the spring, is the toughest we have faced in my time at NIU,” Burns said via NIU Athletics. “To have the opportunity to host three Power 4 schools on our home court is not an opportunity many programs like us get.”
Beginning MAC play on March 13 against Eastern Michigan University, the Huskies stay on the road to face the University of Toledo before returning home for a championship rematch.
Buffalo comes to town on March 20, with the Western Michigan University Broncos on March 22.
After a road trip to Massachusetts and Ohio, NIU finishes the regular season on the road against Bowling Green State University and Ball State University on April 12 and 17.
Miami University, the 2025 regular season champions, will host the Championship tournament on April 25 and 26, with the top four teams qualifying.
