On match point against Marshall’s Ashley Kroh at No. 1 singles, Cassie Drake of the NIU women’s tennis team broke a string. As fate would have it, it would be the final point of her collegiate tennis career.

“Yeah, it was weird,” Drake said. “I thought that was ironic because I’ve only broken, like, two strings all year. It felt like it was symbolic of the end of my career.”

Despite solid doubles play, the No. 7 seed Huskies (8-10) were swept 5-0 by No. 2 seed Marshall (19-7) in the MAC quarterfinals. Marshall went on to win the championship match 4-1 against Western Michigan to earn a trip to the NCAA Championships.

Senior Ivonne Andrade and freshman Chrissy Svetlic grabbed the advantage for NIU at No. 1 doubles with a dominating 8-2 victory. Marshall struck back with an 8-4 win at No. 3 doubles and a closely-contested 8-6 decision at No. 2 doubles to take a 1-0 lead.

Singles play was all Marshall as the Thundering Herd surrendered only seven points in its four victories. It was the second time in three years NIU has been eliminated by Marshall.

Drake, Andrade and Daniela Martinez are all in their last year at NIU, depriving coach Pontus Hiort of his No. 1, 2, and 4 singles players for next year, respectively.

“We obviously lose a great group of women,” Hiort said. “They’ve provided good leadership this year, and they leave some big holes to fill.”

Andrade admitted leaving NIU, her teammates and her sport is no easy task.

“I had a great time with some great girls here at NIU,” Andrade said. “Pontus was an excellent coach. I wish I had him for all four years. I’m sad that it’s over. I’ve still got energy to keep playing.”