Women's Tennis | October 17

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University women's tennis team competes in the 2025 ITA Midwest Regional Championship this weekend, hosted by University of Illinois. The five-day event from Thursday, Oct. 16 to Monday, Oct. 20 brings in top programs from the region, all hoping to lock in their NCAA Division I Singles and Doubles Championship bids. 

The Huskies began with six players competing in the singles qualifying round of 64, looking to join teammate Irmak Budak in the main draw. Theodora Kousiou, Nataly Ninova and Sophia Shlyakhta each opened the first qualifying round with a win, advancing to the round of 32.

Ninova dropped the first set to Western Michigan's Marielou Baudouin, but bounced back to secure her spot in the main draw, winning 4-6, 6-2, 7-5. Shlyakhta, who entered the qualifying draw as an alternate, downed Illinois' Rose Seccia 6-4, 6-3 to lock in her spot. Kousiou fell short to Elena Palioura of Southern Illinois, 6-2, 6-2. 

With Budak, Ninova and Shlyakhta all making the cut, it's the first time since at least 2009 NIU has had three players in the main draw of the ITA Midwest Regional Championships. 

Friday was another strong day for NIU, as the Huskies advanced past the first round in both singles and doubles. 

In singles, Shlyakhta defeated Elena Palioura of Southern Illinois as the freshman stormed in the round of 32. In the doubles draw, Jenna Horne and Lucia Yecora opened with a 8-5 win over Chicago State and then upset No. 9 seeded pairing Cara Mester and McKenna Schaefbauer of hosting Illinois to reach the round of 16. 

Play continues for the Huskies Saturday morning, starting with doubles. 

Bracket | Live Streaming

This story will be updated.