In its first dual meet of the year, the women’s tennis team went to work Saturday and defeated Purdue University 5-2.

Three Huskies won in convincing fashion.

Sara Murfey knocked off Ifeoma Okorafor 6-4, 6-0, Natalija Todorovic beat Heidi Prah 6-2, 6-1 and Jami Cheek defeated Dana Pearson 6-0, 6-3.

In a tight match, NIU’s Brenda Bowen responded after losing the first set 6-2. Bowen won a close second set 7-6 (7-3) and then kicked her racket into high gear for a 6-1 third-set triumph.

NIU clinched the victory when the duo of Hild Andersch and Todorovic defeated Slowinski and Prah, 1-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Next on the schedule for NIU will be on Friday at 6 p.m. against Toledo at the Aurora Tennis Club.