ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women's tennis team fell to Bowling Green, 6-1, in the Mid-American Conference opener at the Boylan Tennis Center Friday.
 
"I thought the team fought hard today," said NIU head coach Tanya Mahefu. "We were outplayed by a better team."
 
The loss to the Falcons was the first at home for NIU (5-10, 0-1). The Huskies lost the doubles point dropping two of the three matches by identical, 6-2, scores. Brodie Walker (Bristol, England/Bristol Grammar School) and Evelyn Youel (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) won at No. 3 doubles, 6-2.
 
Walker provided NIU's lone win in singles play. After losing the first set, 4-6, the Huskie sophomore defeated Vanesa Pardo, 6-3, 10-8, to take the match at No. 5 singles. Lara Slikso (Essendon, Australia/St. Columba's College) was also taken to three sets at No. 6 singles. Slisko, a freshman, won the second set, 6-4, after losing the first, 4-6. Unfortunately, she was unable to claim the third set, losing 4-10.
 
The NIU women's tennis team returns to the court Sunday, March 25 when the Huskies play host to Miami. The match begins at 1 p.m. CT.
 
Bowling Green 6, Northern Illinois 1
 
Doubles Competition
1. Paula Comella/Marharita-Sophia Tavpash (BGSU) def. Thisuri Molligoda/Abigail Dekkinga (NIU), 6-2
2. Polina Radeva/Ayumi Sasaki (BGSU) def. Maria Potsi /Lara Slisko (NIU), 6-2
3. Evelyn Youel/Brodie Walker (NIU) def. Vanesa Pardo/Marta Bettinelli (BGSU), 6-2
 
Singles Competition
1. Paula Comella (BGSU) def. Thisuri Molligoda (NIU); 2-6, 4-6
2. Polina Radeva (BGSU) def. Maria Potsi (NIU); 3-6, 1-6
3. Marharita-Sophia Tavpash (BGSU) def. Abigail Dekkinga (NIU); 1-6, 0-6
4. Ayumi Sasaki (BGSU) def. Evelyn Youel (NIU); 3-6, 0-6
5. Brodie Walker (NIU) def. Vanesa Pardo (BGSU); 4-6, 6-3, 10-8
6. Marta Bettinelli (BGSU) def. Lara Slisko (NIU); 4-6, 6-4, 4-10
 
-NIU-