STOW, Ohio – The Northern Illinois University Women's Tennis team suffered a 4-3 setback to Akron at the LaTuchie Tennis Center Friday afternoon.
 
The Huskies' (8-11, 2-3) won their third-straight doubles point. Adey Osabuohien (Hazel Crest, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) and Raven Neely (Grosse Point, Mich./Grosse Point South) won their fourth straight match at No. 1 doubles, while Pauline Chawafambira (Dangamvura, Mutare, Zimbabwe) and Evelyn Youel (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) scored their third straight victory at No. 3 doubles.
 
NIU went 2-4 in singles play with Neely and Chawafamira posted wins at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively. Neely won her match with Ariadna Blinova in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, while Chawafamira won the third set 6-4 to seal the win over Rita Pedroso.
 
"It was a tough loss for the team," said NIU head coach Tanya Mehefu. "We had our chance to sneak it out but fell short.
 
"Overall, we are playing well and feel confident. We host a very tough Buffalo team on Sunday and I hope we can use this experience to help us."
 
The NIU women's tennis team returns to courts Sunday when the Huskies play host to Buffalo. The match begins at 1 p.m. CT at the West Tennis Courts on the campus of NIU.
 
Doubles
1. Adey Osabuohien/Raven Neely (NIU) def. Carli Knezevich/Karolina Maksimova (UA) 6-4
2. Ariadna Blinova/Sophia Geier (UA) vs. Michelle Erasmus/Abigail Dekkinga (NIU) 6-2
3. Pauline Chawafambira/Evelyn Youel (NIU) def. Shannon Newnes/Rita Pedroso (UA) 7-6 (5)
 
Singles
1. Sophia Geier (UA) def. Adey Osabuohien (NIU) 1-6, 6-3, 6-3
2. Raven Neely (NIU) def. Ariadna Blinova (UA) 6-4, 6-2
3. Pauline Chawafambira (NIU) def. Rita Pedroso (UA) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
4. Luisa Echeverry (UA) def. Abigail Dekkinga (NIU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Shannon Newnes (UA) def. Brodie Walker (NIU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Carli Knezevich (UA) def. Evelyn Youel (NIU) 6-1, 6-1
 
-NIU-