Women's Tennis | February 17

DeKALB, Ill.  –  The Northern Illinois University women's tennis team opened a three-match weekend with a convincing 7-0 win over Bradley Friday at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House. The win was NIU's third in four matches against in-state opponents and its second shut out of the season.
 
The Huskies swept the doubles matches to earn the early 1-0 lead. Freshman Nataly Ninova and sophomore Reagan Welch recorded a 6-1 win at No. 2 doubles while the Huskies' No. 1 duo of Erika Dimitriev and Anastasia Rakita clinched the point with a 6-2 win.
 
Four of NIU's six singles wins came in straight sets as Dimitriev, Rakita and Diana Lukyanova made quick work of their opponents at number one, two and three singles, respectively. Isabella Righi also scored a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 6 singles. After splitting their first two sets, Huskies Reagan Welch and Nataly Ninova each won their singles matches in a super tiebreaker.
 
"We came out very focused today," said NIU head coach Eric Burns. "The girls were prepared for the match. We needed a good performance today to help build our confidence after a couple of tough losses to Valparaiso and Illinois State. I was proud of the effort; I thought the doubles looked very good, especially the No. 1 and 2 pairs.  Nataly and Reagan at No. 2 came out aggressive and that's what we were looking for out of them."
 
With the win, the Huskies improved to 5-6 on the season.  NIU will play a pair of matches Saturday at the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House, taking on Western Illinois at 10 a.m. followed by a match versus Cardinal Stritch. Admission is free.
 
NIU Huskies 7, Bradley 0
02/15/2023 at DeKalb, Illinois (Chick Evans Field House)
 
Singles
1.         Erika Dimitriev (NIU) def. Anna Belogliadova (BRADLEY) 6-2, 6-1
2.         Anastasia Rakita (NIU) def. Mariia Pukhina (BRADLEY) 6-3, 6-1
3.         Diana Lukyanova (NIU) def. Kirstin Hailey (BRADLEY) 6-2, 6-4
4.         Reagan Welch (NIU) def. Maria Bezmenova (BRADLEY) 6-4, 6-7 (10-6), 10-6
5.         Nataly Ninova (NIU) def. Madalena Andrade (BRADLEY) 6-3, 3-6, 10-8
6.         Isabella Righi (NIU) def. Alexandra Hildreth (BRADLEY) 6-3, 6-1
 
Doubles
1.         Erika Dimitriev/Anastasia Rakita (NIU) def. Madalena Andrade/Kirstin Hailey (BRADLEY) 6-2
2.         Nataly Ninova/Reagan Welch (NIU) def. Maria Bezmenova/Anna Belogliadova (BRADLEY) 6-1
3.         Isabella Righi/Jenna Horne (NIU) def. Alexandra Hildreth/Madi Rogers (BRADLEY) 7-6 (7-0)
 
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