Women's Tennis | January 15
DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women's tennis team will kick off its 2026 dual season with a three-match homestand this weekend, welcoming Wisconsin, Missouri and Chicago State. All matches this weekend will be Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House and admission is free.
In a jam-packed weekend of tennis, the Huskies will play Wisconsin on Friday at 2 p.m., Missouri on Saturday at 9 a.m. and Chicago State on Saturday at 6 p.m. Additionally, Missouri will take on Wisconsin Friday at 10 a.m. and Chicago State on Saturday at 1 p.m.
NIU returns to DeKalb after spending last weekend competing in the Northwestern Invitational in Evanston, Ill. against both DePaul and Northwestern.
Senior
Isabella Righi and sophomore
Lucia Yecora teamed up for three wins in doubles over the weekend, with two coming against DePaul and one against Northwestern.
Freshman
Rebeca Garcia Miralles closed the weekend on a high note. The newcomer began the day securing a doubles win over Northwestern alongside fellow freshman
Sophia Shlyakhta and capped the afternoon with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-0 singles victory over DePaul.
The Opponents
Wisconsin finished the 2025 regular season ranked No. 23 in the nation with a 19-6 record and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers return two all-conference players from last year, including First-Team All-Big Ten select Maria Sholokhova and All-Freshman selection in Ekaterina Ivanova. In singles, Sholokhova ranks No. 47 and ranks No. 5 in doubles with Lucie Urbanova.
Missouri went 13-15 in a competitive Southeastern Conference last season and spent time ranked after a hot start to the season. The Tigers closed out the fall of 2025 competing in the SDSU Fall Classic in which Korina Roso won the third flight in singles and second flight in doubles.
Chicago State and NIU have played in each of the seven previous dual seasons with the Huskies winning the last six meetings. The Cougars competed the NIU Huskie Indoor Invitational in the fall, winning four sets in doubles through the weekend.
