DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women's tennis team suffered a 6-1 setback at Western Michigan at the West Hills Athletic Club on Sunday afternoon.
 
"We fought hard today," NIU head coach Eric Burns. "Western played really well, but I was proud of how we fought back in matches. I feel like we were playing from behind most the day. We just or off to a lot of slow starts.
 
Diana Lukyanova provided the bright spot for NIU (10-9, 3-3) as she extended her winning streak to 16 matches. The Huskie freshman dropped her first set, 1-6, but came back to win the second, 6-4 and the third, 7-6 over Lindsey Zieglar at No. 3 singles.
 
Maria Potsi pushed her match to a third set at No. 1 singles after dropping the first set, 2-6. After taking the third, 6-3, she lost the third, 7-6. Anastasia Rakita battled at No. 2 singles, losing the first set 3-6, and winning the second 6-2. Unfortunately for Rakita, she was unable to take the third set and dropped the match.
 
"Obviously, with three matches going three sets and a somewhat close doubles point, we had a slight opening to get this one, but everything would have had to line up right and it just didn't go our way today," he said. "It shouldn't take away from our weekend. We had a great weekend. We'll get back to work and get ready for Roosevelt on Thursday."
 
The Huskies return to the court Thursday, April 1 when they welcome Roosevelt to Chick Evans Field House. The match begins at 3:30 p.m.
 
-NIU-