Sarah Murfey, NIU’s No. 1 women’s tennis player, shedded her “wimp” image yesterday, while NIU continued its dominance in the North Star Conference with a 9-0 victory over Illinois-Chicago.

During the third set of her match against Mara Lencina at the West Campus Courts, Murfey lofted an easy put away just barely over the net.

Lencina charged and pummelled the floater cross-court for a winner. “I’m such a wimp,” Murfey screamed, disgusted with herself.

Murfey had a right to be disgusted. After winning the first set 7-6 (7-5 in the tie-break), she was destroyed 6-1 in the second set.

“I wasn’t playing my game,” Murfey explained. “I was playing down to her level.”

Murfey raised her level of play in the third set, winning 6-0.

“I think I can win the rest of my matches this year,” said Murfey, who owns a 13-4 singles mark. “It’s just a matter of focusing right away and taking care of business.”

The Huskies, now 11-6, certainly are taking care of business. Hild Andersch won her match at No. 2 6-1, 6-2, Jami Cheek won 6-2, 6-2, Natalie Todorovic conquered 6-1, 6-2, Svetlana Nedeljkovic won in three 1-6, 6-1, 6-2 and Breda Dean triumphed 6-4, 6-3.

The Huskies swept all the doubles in straight sets.