The NIU women’s tennis team continued its mastery over Akron to advance to the quarterfinals of the MAC championship against defending champion Marshall.

The No. 7 seed Huskies (8-9) completed a 5-0 sweep of No. 10 seed Akron (6-19) in the first day of action Thursday at host site Ball State.

NIU did not waste time in taking the doubles point for a 1-0 lead. Cassie Drake and Dora Delgadillo dominated at No. 2 doubles with an 8-1 victory while No. 3 doubles tandem Daniela Martinez and sophomore Megan Brooks sealed the point with an 8-3 win.

Singles play was an even shorter affair as the Huskies took four matches while only surrendering five total points to advance to the next round.

“We were expecting to win,” NIU senior Ivonne Andrade said. “We were using this match as preparation and a warmup for Marshall.”

As the four-time defending champion, No. 2 seed Marshall has won its last nine matches in a row, including a 7-0 sweep of NIU on March 26. The Thundering Herd (16-7) have shutout all nine opponents during their streak with 13 total blankings on the season.

“After tomorrow, I just want them to be able to look me in the eye and say they left it all out there on the court,” NIU assistant coach Jarod Camerota said. “That’s all I can ask for as a coach.”

A pair of Huskies also picked up postseason awards yesterday as Drake won her third straight Second Team All-MAC award. Also a senior, Andrade took home the Leann Grimes Davidge Sportsmanship Award.

“We have to be confident and focused and have high intensity,” Andrade said. “We lost to them earlier this year, but we had some close matches. We just have to be ready.”

NIU begins action against Marshall at 2 p.m. today at Ball State. The semifinals will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday with the finals scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday.