YPSILANTI, Mich. – Seniors Fernanda Naves and Christy Robinson scored a 6-4 victory at number one doubles to give the Northern Illinois University women's tennis team the doubles point which proved to be the difference in NIU's 4-3 win over Eastern Michigan University Friday in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
 
"I'm really proud of Fernanda and Christy at [number] one doubles for moving up and getting a big win to clinch the point for us," said NIU head coach Eric Burns. "That was probably the best match they played all year, just a great job by those two."
 
The win, NIU's 15th of the season, guaranteed that the Huskies will finish with a winning record in 2021-22. Last year, NIU posted a 14-15 record. The 15 wins are the most by a Huskie women's tennis team in 25 years, since the 1996-97 team went 15-9.  
 
"That win was important because it clinched a winning season for us, and that was one of our goals for the season," Burns said. "We're doing it through injuries, we're a little beat up and it's been tough, but today we showed the will that you need in close situations. Today we were excellent in the pressure situations and pulled out big points, and that was a breakthrough for us." 
 
Prior to the point-clinching win by Naves and Robinson at No. 1 doubles, the team of Angelica Ross and Erika Dmitriev scored a 6-2 win at No. 3. Eastern Michigan took a 2-1 lead after wins at No. 4 and 5 singles before senior Iullia Dimitrieva tied the match for NIU with a 6-1, 6-3 win at No. 6 singles.
 
After winning the first set at No. 3 singles, 6-2, NIU freshman Reagan Welch fell behind 4-0 in the second set before winning six straight games to give the Huskies a 3-2 lead, setting the stage for Diana Lukyanova to clinch the Huskie victory with a straight set win at No. 2 singles.
 
"For Reagan to pull out that set and win the match after trailing 4-0 really turned the momentum around in the match," Burn said. "Then Diana got the clincher in straight sets against the same opponent that she lost to last week."
 
NIU (15-11, 2-6 MAC) plays its final two matches of the season next weekend as the Huskies will play host to Ball State and Western Michigan on Friday and Sunday, April 22 and 24, respectively, at the DeKalb High School Tennis Courts.   
 
NIU 4, Eastern Michigan 3
04/15/2022 at Ypsilanti, Mich.
(Chippewa Club)
 
Singles
1. Luisa Pelayo (EMU) def. Erika Dimitriev (NIU) 7-6 (4-0), 6-4
2. Diana Lukyanova (NIU) def. Sabina Brichackova (EMU) 6-2, 6-4
3. Reagan Welch (NIU) def. Isabelle Popma (EMU) 6-2, 6-4
4. Vasavi Ganesan (EMU) def. Angelica Ross (NIU) 6-0, 6-2
5. Emma-Lou Pommiers (EMU) def. Christy Robinson (NIU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Iuliia Dmitrieva (NIU) def. Julia Piatek (EMU) 6-1, 6-3
 
Doubles
1. Fernanda Naves/Christy Robinson (NIU) def. Vasavi Ganesan/Isabelle Popma (EMU) 6-4
2. Luisa Pelayo/Grace Whitney (EMU) def. Iuliia Dmitrieva/Reagan Welch (NIU) 6-3
3. Angelica Ross/Erika Dimitriev (NIU) def. Julia Piatek/Emma-Lou Pommiers (EMU) 6-2
 
Match Notes:
NIU 15-11, 2-6 MAC
Eastern Michigan 14-15, 2-6 MAC
 
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