ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women's team improved to 4-1 on the season after winning its doubleheader with Milwaukee and Eastern Illinois by identical 4-3 scores at the Boylan Tennis Center Saturday.
 
"I'm so proud of our effort today," said NIU head coach Eric Burns. "These were two quality teams that came in here and it is tough to play back to back."
 
In both matches, the doubles' point proved to be the difference.
 
"We competed so well," said Burns. "Obviously our doubles play really made the difference in both matches today and allowed us to get off to a good start. We played with a lot of effort and energy and that's all we can ask of the team. I'm excited about the way we played today."
 
NIU came out with a strong against Milwaukee. The Huskies won the doubles' point with Brodie Walker and Paula Veyhle winning, 6-3, at No. 2 doubles, while Christy Robinson and Fernanda Naves took the No. 3 doubles' match 7-6 (2). 
 
Paula Veyhle gave the Huskies their first win in singles play with a 6-1, 6-2 win over the Panthers' Lucy Harper No. 6 singles.  Maria Potsi's 6-2, 6-4 victory over Mayya Perova at No.1 singles gave NIU a 3-0 lead. The Panthers pulled to with one, with wins at Nos. 3 and 4 singles. Christy Robinson notched the win over Anika Tylek, 6-4, 7-5, at No. 5 singles to seal the win for NIU.
 
The Huskies opened a 1-0 lead over the Panthers of Eastern Illinois with a wins at Nos. 1 and 3 doubles. NIU then went to work in singles action, winning the first three matches to clinch the victory.
 
Potsi scored a 6-3, 6-0 victory at No. 1 singles, while Lara Slisko was dominant in a 6-1, 6-1 win over Shaianne Looney at No. singles. Veyhle clinched the Huskie win when she earned a 6-1, 6-2 triumph over Lauren Ellis at No. 6 singles.
 
NIU returns to the court Saturday, Feb. 8 when the Huskies travel to Creighton for a 3 p.m. match.
 
-NIU-