The women’s tennis team has won back-to-back matches for the first time since March 6, winning their match Friday 4-3 against Ball State University at the Chick Evans Field House. 

Singles

NIU did well in their singles matchups, winning four of six possible games. Sophomore Diana Lukyanova started the winning streak for the Huskies, defeating Ball States senior Hannah Davies in straight sets 6-4,6-4. NIU took the first two games of the match with Erika Dimitriev, also winning her match in straight sets against Cardinals’ junior Amy Kaplan.  The Huskies would go on to lose their next two singles games as the Cardinals evened up the score at 2-2. 

NIU recovered strongly with freshman Angelica Ross and senior Christy Robinson winning both of their games in straight sets to give the Huskies the victory in singles competition. 

Doubles

The Huskies did not perform as well in their doubles matches with the team dropping two of three doubles matches. NIU dropped the first two doubles matches against the Cardinals with both matches ending 6-3. 

The Huskies duo of senior Luliia Dmitrieva and freshman Regan Welch were the only group to get a lead against the Cardinals. The pair took a 4-3 lead before the game went unfinished as the Huskies had earned enough wins from their singles matches to win the match entirely. 

Looking ahead

With the win, the Huskies were able to improve their record to 16-11 and 3-6 in the Mid-American Conference. The Cardinals’ record dropped to 16-4 overall and 7-2 in the MAC. 

NIU will try to extend its winning streak to three games at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in DeKalb for its Senior Day against Western Michigan University.