MUNCIE, Ind. – The Northern Illinois University Women's Tennis team's run at the 2017 Mid-American Conference Women's Tennis Championships came to an end as the fifth-seeded Huskies fell to No. 4 Miami Ball State's Cardinal Creek Tennis Center Friday.
 
"This is a tough loss for the team," said NIU head coach Tanya Mahefu. "We played great doubles today, as we have all year, but we were not able to put enough points on the board in singles play."
 
NIU (10-13) suffered a 4-1 setback to the RedHawks (11-11) in its first round match. The Huskies took the doubles point, with Nos. 1 and 2 doubles teams winning their matches.
 
First-team All-MAC selections senior Adey Osabouhein (Hazel Crest, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) and freshman Raven Neely (Grosse Pointe, Mich./Grosse Point South) scored a 6-2 at No. 1, while Pauline Chawafambira (Mutare, Zimbabwe) and Evelyn Youel (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) posted a 6-1 win to give NIU a 1-0 lead headed into singles.
 
Unfortunately for NIU, Miami reached the four-point mark first with wins at Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6 singles to clinch the match for Miami.
 
"I'm proud of this group this season," Mahefu said. "We competed well and achieved great things as a team this season. We thank seniors Adey and Pauline coming in and help build this program."
 
Doubles
1. Raven Neely/Adey Osabuohien (NIU) def. Nelli Ponomareva/A. Shapovalova (MU) 6-2
2. Pauline Chawafambira/Evelyn Youel (NIU) def. Hannah Shteyn/A. Vasiukhina (MU) 6-1
3. Emily Struble/Andreea Badileanu (MU) def. Abigail Dekkinga/Michelle Erasmus (NIU) 6-1
 
Singles
1. Adey Osabuohien (NIU) def. Nelli Ponomareva (MU) 6-3, 5-4
2. A. Shapovalova (MU) def. Raven Neely (NIU) 6-4, 3-3
3. Andreea Badileanu (MU) def. Pauline Chawafambira (NIU) 6-4, 6-1
4. Emily Struble (MU) def. Abigail Dekkinga (NIU) 6-0, 6-0
5. Hannah Shteyn (MU) def. Evelyn Youel (NIU) 6-3, 6-2
6. A. Vasiukhina (MU) def. Michelle Erasmus (NIU) 6-3, 6-3
 
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