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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Gallery: Women’s tennis extends win streak, men’s streak begins at home

NIU women’s tennis sophomore Theodora Kousiou (left) returns the ball against Marquette University and NIU men’s tennis sophomore Nikola Puntaric serves against Indiana University Indianapolis on Friday in the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans FIeld House. The women’s tennis team beat MU 6-1 and the men’s tennis team beat IU Indy 5-2. (Sanaa Scott and Aidan Penca | Northern Star)
By Sanaa Scott and Aidan Penca
Jan 27, 2026

Men’s Tennis vs. IU Indy

The NIU men’s tennis team rally together with a chant before the match against Indiana University Indianapolis on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. The Huskies are undefeated against IU Indy since their first matchup in 2009. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)
NIU men’s tennis sophomore Lorenzo Leti Messina prepares to serve in his singles match against Indiana University Indianapolis sophomore Pumiphat Sukkho on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. Leti Messina won both sets, sealing the Huskie win against the Jaguars 5-2. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)
NIU men’s tennis sophomore Lorenzo Leti Messina hangs in the air following a serve during the Huskies’ match against Indiana University Indianapolis sophomore Pumiphat Sukkho on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. NIU is now 2-0 after winning their home-opener against IU Indy on Friday and against Illinois State University on Saturday. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)
NIU men’s tennis head coach René Vidal congratulates senior Iker Gaztambide Arrastia after securing the first set during the Huskies’ match against Indiana University Indianapolis on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. Gaztambide Arrastia won the match in two sets, 6-2 and 6-3. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)
NIU men’s tennis senior Federico Scotuzzi celebrates after a second- set win during the Huskies’ match against Indiana University Indianapolis freshman Cameron Kryscio on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. Scotuzzi’s singles match went to three sets, with him winning the final set 6-2. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)
NIU men’s tennis senior Iker Dellien Velasco prepares to serve during the Huskies’ match against Indiana University Indianapolis on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. Dellien Velasco brought the first set to a tie, but was not able to score a point during the tiebreak. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)
NIU men’s tennis senior Iker Dellien Velasco sprints into a receiving position after serving during the Huskies’ home opener against Indiana University Indianapolis on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. Dellien Velasco was defeated in two sets during his singles match. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)
NIU men’s tennis senior Federico Scotuzzi (left) and sophomore Lorenzo Leti Messina settle into position after a serve during the Huskies’ home opener against Indiana University Indianapolis on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. Scotuzzi and Leta Messina defeated their doubles opponents 6-1. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)
NIU men’s tennis sophomore Lorenzo Leti Messina prepares to serve in his singles match against Indiana University Indianapolis sophomore Pumiphat Sukkho on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. Leti Messina won both sets, sealing the Huskie win against the Jaguars 5-2. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star) (Sanaa Scott)

Women’s Tennis vs. Marquette

NIU women’s tennis sophomore Irmak Budak tracks the ball in her singles match against Marquette University freshman Elise Barnstedt on Friday in the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. Irmak won her match in two sets, clinching the tiebreaker in the first and winning 6-4 in the second. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)
NIU women’s tennis sophomore Theodora Kousiou celebrates after scoring a point against Marquette University senior Emma Davis in her singles match on Friday in the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. Theodora went undefeated in both singles and doubles this weekend against MU and Valparaiso University. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)
NIU women’s tennis freshman Malika Kabdesh eyes the ball before returning it with a forehand shot to Marquette University sophomore Aiyana Abbott on Friday in the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. Malika competed alongside senior Nataly Ninova in a doubles match in which they beat MU freshman Elise Barnstendt and senior Emma Davis. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)
NIU women’s tennis sophomore Lucia Yecora receives a forehand volley from Marquette University freshman Maria Poon during her singles match on Friday in the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. Yecora secured the first win for NIU against Marquette. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)
NIU women’s tennis senior Jenna Horne serves the ball in her singles match against Marquette University sophomore Elena Duva on Friday in the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. Horne and sophomore Theodora Kousiou also won their doubles match against MU sophomore Luciana Mendoza and freshman Maria Poon. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)
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About the Contributors
Sanaa Scott, Photojournalist
Aidan Penca, Assistant Photo Editor
Aidan Penca is a sophomore from Fulton, Illinois, majoring in electrical engineering. Outside of the Star, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, writing and listening to rock and indie music.
More to Discover
More about NIU Men's Tennis
NIU men’s tennis senior Iker Gaztambide Arrastia reaches for the ball during his singles match against the University of Toledo on March 21. Gaztamide Arrastia was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year on Tuesday. (Totus Tuus Keely| Northern Star)
Arrastia nabs MAC Player of the Year
NIU men’s tennis sophomore Pratyaksh LNU prepares to serve the ball during his singles match against University at Toledo senior Matias Olivero on April 4. The Huskies lost to the University at Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference title match, falling 4-0 to the Bulls. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Men’s Tennis falls to Buffalo in MAC Championship
A graphic depicts NIU men’s tennis sophomore Pratyaksh LNU as this week’s Huskie of the Week. LNU won his match at No. 6 singles on Saturday to send NIU to the Mid-American Conference championship match on Sunday. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)
Huskie of the Week: LNU leads Huskies to championship
More about NIU Women's Tennis
NIU women’s tennis sophomore Irmak Budak prepares to hit the ball during her singles match against the University at Buffalo on March 20. Budak and senior Nataly Ninova were named to the All Mid-American Conference Second Team after the Huskies ended their season with a loss to Ball State University. (Northern Star file photo)
Ninova, Budak named to All MAC Second Team
NIU women’s tennis sophomore Lucia Yecora (left) and senior Isabella Righi celebrate after winning a long rally during their doubles match against Ball State University seniors Sydney Hrehor and Asia Ting Fontana on Friday in the Chick Evans Field House. The Huskies ended their season with a 5-2 win over the Cardinals. (Sanaa Scott | Northern Star)
Women's tennis ends season with win over Ball State
A graphic depicts NIU women's tennis senior Nataly Ninova as this week's Huskie of the Week. Ninova became NIU's all-time wins leader against Bowling Green on Sunday. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)
Huskie of the Week: Ninova becomes NIU all-time wins leader

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