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ROCKFORD, Ill. - Nelle Youel became the Northern Illinois University women's tennis all-time career combined wins leader on Saturday, passing Anna Widen's previous record of 137 victories in a Huskie career that had stood since 2000.

Youel, a senior from Crystal Lake, Ill. and product of Crystal Lake Central High School, accomplished the incredible feat during NIU's 4-3 victory over Bradley at the Boylan Tennis Center in Rockford, a win that improved the Huskies to 3-0 as a team this spring.

"It's very rewarding. It definitely makes all of the hours of practice and tennis - in the season and during the offseason - so worth it," Youel said of her feelings after becoming the winningest Huskie in NIU women's tennis history. "It felt even better coming on a day that we picked up a quality team win."

Youel's 138th career victory came in doubles as she teamed up with Cristina Alvarez (Zaragoza, Spain/Cristorey and Sagrado Corazon De Jesus) to take the No. 1 doubles match in dramatic fashion, winning the final two games to secure a 7-5 match victory. But she wasn't done yet, as Youel also won her No. 1 singles match in straight sets in what proved to be a decisive point that helped NIU pick up the team victory.

Mary Malkin (Tel Aviv, Israel/Alliance) and Arantza De La Torre (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Motolinia) also earned tough singles victories that lifted the Huskies to the win.

NIU head coach Tanya Gombera praised her record-breaking senior but also credited the entire team with a hard-fought victory.

"It's a great afternoon for NIU women's tennis. Nelle picked up two great victories in tough matches, and I'm so proud of her and everything she's accomplished," Gombera said. "The team also played well to defeat a much-improved Bradley team, so we want to continue working hard to build on this good start."

NIU defeated Bradley for the seventh consecutive season. The Huskies will seek to continue their undefeated start to the spring when they welcome Hope College to the Boyland Tennis Center in Rockford next Saturday at 1 p.m.

--NIU--