It might have taken the NIU women’s tennis team 15 years, but it finally got a win over Southern Illinois on Friday, 4-3.

The Huskies dropped the doubles point but still beat SIU 4-2 in singles matches.

“Our freshmen really played tough,” said coach Laura Scott. “I’ve been talking to them about having faith in their game and remaining confident in their abilities. I knew it would finally pay off and they would start winning some matches, and today it happened.”

Branka Savic beat Erika Ochoa 6-1, 6-3. Two other freshmen won straight sets, with Karrie Tyioran going over Ana Serrot 6-3, 6-3, and Kristi McIntyre beating Sarah Krismantis 6-3, 6-3. Savic and McIntyre teamed up for doubles to beat their opponents 9-8.

“This was a very good day for us today,” Scott said. “We really played well and were good in doubles despite losing the point.”

On Saturday, the Huskies beat Drake University at the Rush-Copley Center in Aurora.

“Drake is a very good team, one that went to the NCAA tournament last year, so this is definitely a big win for us, considering we haven’t come close to beating them in recent years,” Scott said.

Friday’s win may have been credited to the freshmen, but Saturday was a day for the upperclassmen. In singles play, Tanja Sukovic beat Drake’s Cynthia

Skogerboe 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.

“Tanja fought and came up with a big win at No. 3,” said Scott. “She was willing to do whatever it takes, and she persevered and it all came down to her match as the last one on the court.”

Molly Opel beat her opponent 6-1, 6-4. For Opel, it was the second singles win of the weekend.

“Molly played very well today,” Scott said. “Her experience in singles paid off.”

Opel and Kris Tiedt made up for their loss Friday with an 8-3 doubles win Saturday. Savic and McIntyre continued their weekend wins, and Tyioran and

Sukovic suffered another doubles loss.

The Huskies have this week off as they prepare for the Boise State University Invitational on March 13.