AURORA, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women’s tennis team started the 2015 spring season in winning fashion, defeating Lewis University 6-1 on Friday afternoon in Aurora, Ill.

The Huskies won their spring opener for the third consecutive season overall and second straight year against Lewis, improving on last year’s 5-2 triumph over the nearby Flyers.

Nelle Youel (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) moved to within three victories of the NIU school record for combined wins after taking the top singles and doubles matches – both in straight sets.

Mary Malkin (Tel Aviv, Israel/Alliance) and Emily Stefancic (Sugar Grove, Ill./West Aurora) also picked up a pair of victories, while Arantza De La Torre (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Motolinia) moved to 99 career combined wins with a singles victory.

NIU first-year head coach Tanya Gombera earned her first team victory with the Huskies and was pleased with the result.

“I was happy with the way the team competed in our first match today,” Gombera said. “We were able to pull out some victories in tough matches, and we are looking forward to our next match against Cleveland State on Sunday.”

The Huskies will face the Vikings in Cleveland on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT.

NIU 6, Lewis 1
Singles
1.       Nelle Youel (NIU) def. Nora Mindiyarova (Lewis), 6-2, 6-4
2.       Megan Nguyen (Lewis) def. Cristina Alvarez (NIU), 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
3.       Mary Malkin (NIU) def. Ana Banic (Lewis), 6-3, 6-4
4.       Arantza De La Torre (NIU) def. Jill Wetmore (Lewis), 6-1, 6-3
5.       Emily Stefancic (NIU) def. Jamie Drez (Lewis), 6-0, 6-1
6.       Jennifer Gates (NIU) wins forfeit
Doubles
1.       Nelle Youel/Cristina Alvarez (NIU) def. Nora Mindiyarova/Ana Banic (Lewis), 6-1
2.       Megan Nguyen/Jill Wetmore (Lewis) def. Arantza De La Torre/Jennifer Gates (NIU), 6-1
3.       Mary Malkin/Emily Stefancic (NIU) win forfeit; NIU takes doubles point