DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University Women's Tennis team will play host to Western Michigan on Senior Day at the West Tennis Courts Friday.
 
NIU's (8-12, 2-4) match with the Broncos is scheduled for 1 p.m. If there is inclement weather, the match with will be moved to the Boylan Tennis Center in Rockford.
 
NIU enters Friday's match looking to bounce back from a pair of tough losses to Akron and Buffalo last week. The Huskies won the doubles point at Akron, however, lost it against the Bulls. It proved costly as NIU fell to the Bulls, 4-3. NIU head coach Tanya Mahefu knows the Huskies face a stiff challenge from Western Michigan and that the doubles point will be the key to victory.
 
"The doubles point is going to count a lot against Western," Mahefu said. "It's going to be a tough match between us. We've been practicing on our doubles play. That will be our main focus Friday. We've been playing good at singles. I expect it to be a tough match and I just hope we can come out on top."
 
Mahefu feels her team learned from their experience Sunday.
 
"It showed the girls that they have to be ready, they have to not let down," she said. "I think started very slow on Sunday in doubles and couldn't quite recover from that. We need to have a good start at doubles and bring the intensity and energy tomorrow."
 
The Huskies should have an extra boost against the Broncos as Friday is Senior Day for Pauline Chawafambira (Dangamvura, Mutare, Zimbabwe) and Adey Osabuohien (Hazel Crest, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor). Osabouhein has been stout at No. 1 singles for the Huskies this season, while Chawafambira is the second half of NIU's successful No. 3 doubles team.
 
-NIU-