The women’s tennis team could not get the win Friday in its first Mid-American Conference showdown this year against the Bowling Green University Falcons.

“We were outplayed by a better team.” said Head coach Tanya Mahefu, according to NIU Media Services.

Freshman Thisuri Molligoda and senior Abigail Dekkinga were not able to click as they dropped the first match of doubles to Paula Comella and Marharita-Sophia Tavpash of the Falcons 6-2.

The Huskies freshman duo of Maria Potsi and Lara Slisko had the same luck as Molligoda and Dekkinga, dropping their match to Polina Radeva and Ayumi Sasaki 6-2 at No. 2.

At No. 3, the Huskies bounced back as sophomore Brodie Walker and senior Evelyn Youel was able to take the win, defeating Polina Radeva and Ayumi Sasaki 6-2.

In the No. 1 position for singles, Molligoda wasn’t able to notch the win over Comella in the first match of singles, losing in two sets.

Potsi also struggled in match No. 2, losing to Radeva 3-6, 1-6.

Dekkinga didn’t have the answers for Tavpash as she only scored one point in match No. 3, losing 1-6, 0-6.

Youel got shut out as well in a losing match to Sasaki 3-6, 0-6 at No. 4.

Walker took her match at No. 5 by defeating Pardo 4-6, 6-3, 10-8.

Slisko gave Bettinelli a close match at No. 6, going into extra sets, but came up short 4-6, 6-4, 4-10.

The Huskies will return to action 1 p.m. Sunday in Rockford as they host the Miami University RedHawks at the Boylan Tennis Center.