April 8, 2011

DEKALB, Ill. - Playing in its first outdoor match of the spring, the Northern Illinois women's tennis fell to Mid-American Conference favorite Miami, 7-0, on Friday afternoon at the Huskie Tennis Courts.

"We battled very hard today, said NIU head coach Ryun Ferrell. "I have never had that much fun in a losing effort. I was so proud of our team, they fought so hard, but there is a reason why Miami is the returning conference champion. Our team wasn't intimidated they went out and pushed Miami hard, but Miami pushed right back."

Katie Friedlund and Sara McLaughlin nearly edged Riekie Honiball and Jessica Parr at number two doubles, falling 9-7. The RedHawks took each of the other two doubles matches to sweep the point.

In singles action, NIU played nearly even with Miami through the first set in all six matches. At number one, Miami's Stephanie Danesis needed a tiebreaker to clip Kelly Phillips, 7-6. Nimisha Mohan needed an extra game to take the opening set from Sara McLaughlin at number four, 7-5. In flight three, Emily Rogers hung tough with Miami's Megan Martzolf before falling behind 6-3.

At number five, Haley Dekkinga took a one-set lead over Riekie Honiball, 6-4. Honiball bounced back however, defeating Dekkinga 6-1, 6-2 in the second and third sets.

"Once Miami got through the first set and settled down they took it to us a little bit," said Ferrell. "I give my team a lot of credit though, they did everything that I asked, I can't complain."

"It was great to be at home, even though it was cold, it is just better to play outdoors at home. Miami is a great team, but I thought we did well."

The Huskies will return to action tomorrow afternoon in DeKalb when they host Ball State. The match against the Cardinals is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

Miami 7, Northern Illinois 0

Doubles
1. Martzolf/Danesis (MU) def. Dekkinga/Rogers (NIU), 8-3
2. Honiball/Parr (MU) def. Friedlund/McLaughlin (NIU), 9-7
3. Wald/Dracheva (MU) def. Phillips/Pacheco (NIU), 8-1

Singles
1. Stephanie Danesis (MU) def. Kelly Phillips (NIU), 7-6, 6-1
2. Anastasia Dracheva (MU) def. Martina Schnapp (NIU), 6-1, 6-0
3. Megan Martzolf (MU) def. Emily Rogers (NIU), 6-3, 6-0
4. Nimisha Mohan (MU) def. Sara McLaughlin (NIU), 7-5, 6-1
5. Riekie Honiball (MU) def. Haley Dekkinga (NIU), 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
6. Cara Wald (MU) def. Ilse Pacheco (NIU), 6-2, 6-2