March 14, 2006

Daytona Beach, FL -- Inconsistent play proved to be the downfall for the Northern Illinois University women's tennis crew in its spring break opening effort Tuesday (March 14) as Colgate University chalked up a 5-2 victory over the Huskies.

"We played well in some spots and not in others. We clearly need to be more consistent," NIU coach Pontus Hiort admitted. "We had a lot of opportunities, but we fell short on crucial points. It was nice to be outside for the first time, but overall we didn't play near as well as wanted."

Having the line-up shortened by illness also did not help matters as the Huskies had to forfeit a singles match and went into doubles giving up the No. 3 contest. As it was, Colgate tallied wins at both the No. 1 and 2 doubles positions to earn that point. CU was also able to capture three of the five singles matches contested on court down in Daytona Beach, FL.

Northern Illinois' Nao Uememura (Kasugai-schi Aehi, Japan / Kardina International) posted a solid 6-2, 6-3 victory over Colgate's Lindsay Grossman in the No. 3 position while Huskie singles ace Jenny Edner (Stocksund, Sweden / Kramforsgymnasiet) rallied from a 6-0 first-set loss for a three-set triumph at No. 1 singles. Edner won the second set 6-4 and then pulled off a 7-6 third-set tiebreaker to account for NIU's other point in beating CU's Jackie Couture.

At No. 2 singles, Dora Delgadillo (San Luis Potosi, Mexico / Institute Tecnologico de Estudios) came up just short in a three-set marathon. Colgate's Alex Seaton won the opening set 6-4 before Delgadillo picked up a 6-3 second-set victory. Seaton was then able to earn the win via a 7-6 third-set tiebreaker.

At No. 1 doubles, NIU's combination of Uememura and Brooks battled hard against Seaton and Couture before the Colgate duo managed a 9-7 triumph. The Huskies are scheduled to return to action Wednesday (March 15) with a 2 p.m. visit to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL. Match time is 2 p.m. (EST) at the UNF Tennis Complex. In addition to more practice outdoors, the NIU women have a Friday (March 17) match at Jacksonville University.

WOMEN'S TENNIS -- Northern Illinois University vs. Colgate University / at Daytona Beach, FL / Non-Conference Dual / Tuesday / March 14, 2006

COLGATE 5, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 2 (at Daytona Beach, FL) Doubles: No. 1 -- Jackie Couture / Alex Seaton (CU) def. Nao Uememura / Megan Brooks (NIU), 9-7 No. 2 -- Cameron Thaney / Lillian Vo (CU) def. Jenny Edner / Dora Delgadillo (NIU), 8-4 No. 3 -- Lindsay Grossman / Erin Fenn (CU) won by forfeit

Singles No. 1 -- Jenny Edner (NIU) def. Jackie Couture (CU), 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 No. 2 -- Alex Seaton (CU) def. Dora Delgadillo (NIU), 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 No. 3 -- Nao Uememura (NIU) def.Lindsay Frossman (CU), 6-2, 6-3 No. 4 -- Lillian Vo (CU) def. Megan Brooks (NIU), 7-5, 6-4 No. 5 -- Erin Fenn (CU) def. Chrissy Nagel (NIU), 6-4, 6-2 No. 6 -- Cameron Thaney (CU) won by forfeit.

Records to Date: NIU now 4-8 Next Huskie Match: Wednesday / March 15 -- Northern Illinois University at University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, 2 p.m.

(For further information, please contact Steve Nemeth) -30-