Since the start of conference play, the women’s tennis team (14-8, 2-2 MAC) hasn’t played its best, struggling mostly in doubles play.

The Huskies had a record of 14-2 with the team doing great in doubles before conference. Nelle Youel and Arantza De La Torre have posted a record of 15-1 at No. 1. No. 2 Haley Dekkinga and Stephanie McDonald have an 11-3 record, and No. 3 Mary Malkin and Cristina Alvarez have a 7-5 record.

“When we were winning 14 out of our first 16 matches we didn’t see what was wrong, but now since we are getting into the league part of things, I probably should of done more of a change throughout the season,” said head coach Ryun Ferrell.

Looking at the records of the top three doubles teams, the pairing of Youel/De La Torre has been NIU’s the best combination. Though this duo only lost once before conference, they have only won one doubles match since conference started.

“I don’t know who my best is,” Ferrell said. “…On any given day anybody is going to step up, and on any given day somebody is not going to step up. I have no idea.”

Ferrell had seven different teams for doubles before conference, but since the start of conference he has increased his overall double teams from seven to 10 with little success coming from it. Those three new teams are Youel/Malkin (1-1), McDonald/ Alvarez (0-2) and Dekkinga/ De La Torre (0-1).

The Huskies are on their longest losing streak of the season at six, with those losses coming from conference rivals. In those six games the Huskies played 18 doubles matches and have only been able to come out with two victories, most recently coming from Youel/De La Torre defeating Lexy Pitt/Emily Mazzola of Toledo, 8-5.

“We’re just going to keep working it and mixing it up until we see what we like and it clicks,” Ferrell said. “I haven’t changed it enoug–only once or twice. I should have changed it more.”

With the season coming to a close, the Huskies’ doubles record has gained a lot more losses than wins. Ferrell said all he plans to do now is see what doubles teams he can possibly have for next year.