April 8, 2009

Final Results in PDF Format

DEKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois women's tennis team captured the decisive doubles point, and won three-of six matches in singles play, recording a 4-3 win over visiting Western Illinois at the Huskie Tennis Courts Wednesday.

"It was nice to pick up the win today, especially considering the windy conditions," said NIU head coach Ryun Ferrell. "I was really pleased with our effort in doubles; our number one doubles team won for the first time they have played together this season, and we grinded out a nice win at No. 3, despite them not playing their best tennis.

"The wind was certainly a factor, but I always tell my players that the wind is blowing just as hard on the other side of the net. It can be a good equalizer, because if you can win in the wind, it shows how tough you are. It was good to get our sixth win, which passes our total from last year. We'll get back to work tomorrow and get ready for DePaul (Friday)."

The Huskies won all three doubles matches in regulation pro-set decisions. Brooke Forsberg and Martina Schnapp, paired together for the third time this season, recorded their first win at the No. 1 position with an 8-2 decision over Amanda Griffin and Zi Wang. Lilian Asuaje and Emily Rogers followed up with a 8-2 win of their own at the second flight and the No. 3 doubles pairing of Sara McLaughlin and Kathryn Friedlund outlasted their counterparts from Western Illinois with an 8-7 (7-5) tiebreaker win.

NIU received singles wins at the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 6 flights to secure the 4-3 team victory. Friedlund overcame a 6-1 loss in the first set to post a three-set (1-6, 6-4, 6-2) victory at No. 2 singles. The Huskies' freshmen duo of Rogers and McLaughlin recorded identical 6-1, 6-1 sweeps at the respective fourth and sixth singles positions.

NIU will take on host DePaul Friday in Chicago. Start time is set for noon.