The NIU women’s tennis team dropped an 8-1 decision at Michigan State University last night, which dropped the team to 4-4 on the year.

However, this was no easy victory for the undefeated Spartans (4-0). Three of the Huskies’ losses went to a third set, and NIU won the first set in each of these matches.

Breda Dean was one of the three-set victims as she lost 6-3, 4-6, 3-6 to Meg Wilson. Another tough loss was suffered by Hild Andersch as she fell victim to Kelly McDonough 6-3, 1-6, 1-6.

Head coach Patty Groth was not at all happy with the play of her double’s teams on the evening.

“I’m going to try some different combinations tomorrow night in the doubles. I’m not very happy with the performances in the doubles spots right now,” Groth said.

The hardest defeat for the Huskies to swallow may have been Sarah Murfey and Brenda Bowen’s loss in the doubles competition. The duo fell 6-0, 5-7, 6-7.

However, Bowen did manage to make sure NIU didn’t get shut out in the meet. She won her singles match 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 over Gina Leo.

Despite the loss, Groth is still optimistic about her team’s future this season.

“We’re playing good competition. We had some close match points which could have gone either way. It just didn’t fall our way,” Groth said.

The team will play Western Michigan in a battle with the 2-3 Broncos in Kalamazoo, Mich. tonight at 6 p.m.