ORLANDO, Fla. – The Northern Illinois University women's tennis team ended their spring break trip to Florida with a 5-2 victory over Florida A&M on Thursday.
 
"I'm really proud of the way the team responded after yesterday's loss," said NIU head coach Tanya Mahefu. "We were able to play well and get the victory, even though we were a player down."
 
NIU (5-9) got off to a fast start, winning the doubles' point for the first time in five matches. Maria Potsi (Athens Greece/1st Gel Cholargou) and Lara Slikso (Essendon, Australia/St. Columba's College) won their match at No. 1 doubles, 6-3, while Thisuri Molligoda (Colombo, Sri-Lanka) and Abigail Dekkinga (Allegan, Mich./Allegan Senior) scored a 6-2 win at No. 2.
 
The Huskies won four of the six singles matches, including Potsi continued her winning ways. She defeated Karen Machisa, 6-0, 6-4, for her fourth-straight singles match win. Molligoda posted a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 1 singles, while Brodie Walker (Bristol, England/Bristol Grammar School) posted second-straight win, defeating Aylen Hubeaurt, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 4 singles.
 
Lara Slikso (Essendon, Australia/St. Columba's College) was tested in the first set against Rachel Harden, but prevailed, 7-6. She took the second set, 6-1.
 
The NIU women's tennis team returns to the court Friday, March 23 when the Huskies open Mid-American Conference play. NIU will play host to Bowling Green at the Boylan Tennis Center. The match begins at 1 p.m. CT.
 
Northern Illinois 5, Florida A&M 2
 
Doubles Competition
1. Maria Potsi/Lara Slisko (NIU) def. Mialinaia Rakotondrazafy/Karen Machisa (FAMU); 6-3
2. Thisuri Molligoda/ Abigail Dekkinga (NIU) def. Haleigh Porter/Aylen Hubeaurt (FAMU); 6-2
3. N/A
 
Singles Competition
1. Thisuri Molligoda (NIU) def. Mialinaia Rakotondrazafy (FAMU); 6-2, 6-3
2. Maria Potsi (NIU) def. Karen Machisa (FAMU); 6-0, 6-4
3. Haleigh Porter (FAMU) def. Abigail Dekkinga (NIU); 7-5, 6-1
4. Brodie Walker (NIU) def. Aylen Hubeaurt (FAMU); 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
5. Lara Slisko (NIU) def. Rachel Harden (FAMU); 7-6, 6-1
6. Sophia Osabouhien (FAMU) default
 
-NIU-