NIU women’s tennis struggled out of the gate on Saturday and never regained control in a 4-3 loss to Chicago State.

The home loss was the last match for the Huskies (2-8) before they begin conference play. Chicago State (5-12) won its third consecutive match to help shrug off a slow start to the season.

NIU grabbed victories at fourth and fifth singles from junior Sara McLaughlin and freshman Ilse Pacheco.

After a tough first set, McLaughlin found her groove and cruised through the second set, winning 7-5, 6-0.

Pacheco was in complete control at fifth singles and was able to double-bagel her counterpart 6-0, 6-0.

After dropping her first set at third singles 6-4, freshman Haley Dekkinga came back to force a third set, but ultimately lost the battle 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.

Entering Saturday’s match, NIU women’s tennis head coach Ryun Ferrell stated that his doubles teams needed to perform well in order for his team to win. Ferrell was right, as his team’s losses in doubles seemingly decided the outcome.

Although the Huskies fared well in singles action, the doubles lineup could not overcome its opponents and lost two of three matches, winning by default at third doubles.

The poor results from doubles very well could have been caused by the absence of sophomore Kelly Phillips (illness) at first doubles, and the season debut of senior Katie Friedlund.

In her first appearance this season, Friedlund teamed with McLaughlin at second doubles. The duo dropped a tough match 8-6.

Ferrell stated that Friedlund, who played first singles last season, did not look like her old self quite yet, but he is already seeing signs that she is on track to being back in her old form.

“She looked pretty good, no complaints,” Ferrell said. “But she looked like someone who hadn’t played matches in four months, to be honest. She said she couldn’t move her feet, she couldn’t get into position, but that’s just the way it goes when you return after that long. She will get better and better through the month of April, and I just want her to get the chance to finish her senior year the right way. Now she will get the chance to do that.”

The Huskies hope Friedlund can return to old form for the conference season. Phillips also hopes to be back in action at first doubles, which should give NIU more stability in the lineup.

NIU’s next match is in Ypsilanti, Mich. on Friday, where its conference season will open against Eastern Michigan. Matches are set to begin at 1 p.m.