NIU women’s tennis coach Patty Groth took her Huskie squad to the University of Notre Dame Eck Doubles Classic in search of experience. They gained that and more.

Thanks to Kathi Kennedy and Monica Larson, the NIU van returned to DeKalb with some additional hardware—namely the first-place plaque for the Flight C bracket. That was the result of some solid tennis play by the NIU duo of three days at the UND Eck Tennis Pavillion.

“They obviously played well. I was pleased with the way the whole weekend went,” Groth added. “We saw some positive things and we found some areas for improvement. We have some new doubles partners and people in new positions, so the experience we gained against some tough people really helped.”

Kennedy and Larson, who won all but a second-round match in only two sets, defeated Jill Slansky and Jamie Pellitteri of Temple University (6-4, 6-2) for the flight title.

NIU’s top entry of Hild Andersch and Jami Cheek were 2-3 in weekend play, but had the unenviable task of drawing three of Notre Dame’s five enjoying homecourt advantages. The Huskies’ other combination of Kris Whitney and Lisa Boedecker were also 2-3 for the weekend to account for NIU’s overall 9-6 squad record.

NIU returns “home” for its next action hosting the University of Toledo at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, and Marquette University at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Aurora Racquet Club before welcoming Southern Illinis University to DeKalb’s Kishwaukee YMCA at noon on Sunday, Feb. 11.