A pair of four-hour marathon matches sent the seniors out in style as the NIU women’s tennis team split its final home matches this weekend.

Seniors Cassie Drake, Ivonne Andrade and Daniela Martinez played in the final home contests of their careers for the Huskies (6-8 overall, 2-5 MAC). NIU won its second-straight MAC match Friday with a 5-2 triumph over Ball State (13-6, 3-3), but dropped a 4-3 decision to Bowling Green (12-7, 4-3) on Saturday.

In front of a vocal crowd of friends and family, NIU jumped out to a 1-0 lead over the Cardinals with wins at No. 1 and 2 doubles. But Ball State fought back in singles play and took the first set in all but one match. Even though they were pushed to the maximum three sets in five of the six singles, the Huskies regained composure and finished off the Cardinals with four wins.

“It’s great to have the families here,” said Martinez, whose family along with Andrade’s relatives flew in from Mexico to see the team play. “They’ve been here all weekend and it’s great to have them here and give so much support.”

Despite being swept at home 7-0 by NIU last year, Bowling Green came out aggressively to take the doubles point Saturday. But the one-point advantage held up as both teams split the singles to give the Falcons the 4-3 victory.

A 20-minute family and team photo session on the courts followed Saturday’s match as the three seniors bid farewell to DeKalb.

“I’m actually really sad because tennis is my biggest passion,” Andrade said. “But I’m actually very happy because something big is coming up in my life and I’m graduating. I’m happy and sad at the same time.”

The Huskies next travel to Eastern Michigan for a 1 p.m. match on Saturday.

With only two weeks until the MAC tournament, No. 1 singles player Drake, thinks emotion will push her and the team to perform at their highest levels.

“I think we’ll put forth just a little more effort and remember this is our last time out here competing and put everything out there,” Drake said. “I still want more time here and I’ll miss the whole team environment. I know that will motivate me.”

MEN’S TENNIS

The NIU men’s tennis team picked up their first MAC win of the season Sunday with a 5-2 victory at Toledo.

The Huskies (11-8 overall, 1-2 MAC) lost the opening doubles point but won five of six singles matches to defeat the Rockets (8-12, 1-3).

Senior Willy Gali also kept his 18-match winning streak alive with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Tony Tran at No. 1 singles.