ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women's tennis team fell to conference foe Ball State, 6-1, at the Boylan Tennis Center in Rockford Friday afternoon.
 
Anastasia Rakita scored the lone win for NIU (11-11, 3-4). The Huskie freshman defeated Jessica Braun and No. 2 singles in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1. Christy Robinson battled at No. 4 singles, but succumbed to Rebecca Herrington, 6-0, 6-7, 6-2.
 
"I was proud of the way we competed today," NIU head coach Eric Burns said. "Ball State has won 16 consecutive matches and we were right in this match. We got off to a really slow start in doubles and also started slowly in singles. It's tough to play from behind against good teams.
 
"To our credit we battled back in some matches and really pushed them. We just couldn't turn the momentum in our direction. We learned we can compete with the top team in the league on a day that probably wasn't our best tennis. It's just good to see our team fighting and believing."
 
The Huskies return to action Sunday, April 11 when NIU travels to Miami. The match begins at 12 p.m.
 
-NIU-