Women's Tennis | February 26
DeKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University women's tennis team returns to the courts this weekend following an off week. The Huskies begin the weekend at Bradley University on Friday, then play Kansas City in a neutral site match on Saturday and travel to Western Illinois on Sunday.
NIU (10-2) is inching closer to conference play, with the opener at Eastern Michigan slated for Friday, March 13. The Huskies are riding a five-match winning streak and have won 10 of its last 11.
NIU last played against Saint Louis at home on Feb. 15, winning 4-2. Freshman Rebeca Garcia Miralles (Castellón, Spain / IES Sos Baynat) clinched the match for the Huskies, winning 6-2, 6-2 at No. 6. The freshman has now won five consecutive matches.
Nataly Ninova (Palma de Mallorca, Spain / IES Centre De Tecnificacio Esportiva IB) and Lucia Yecora (Seville, Spain / IES V Centenario School) are both 9-1 in their last 10 singles matches while Irmak Budak (Istanbul, Turkey / SAJEV) is 8-2. In doubles, Malika Kabdesh / Ninova are 6-2 at No. 1.
The Opponents
Bradley University (3-5) will host both NIU and Kansas City this weekend. Ruby Tseng is 6-1 in the dual season, playing across No. 2 – 4 while the Braves are 7-0 at No. 2 doubles. NIU has won the last four matches against Bradley.
Kansas City (1-4) defeated Missouri State in its last outing, winning 4-3 on Saturday, Feb. 21. The Roos are familiar with close matches this year, with each of their last three matches finishing by score of 4-3.
Western Illinois (2-8) has lost five in a row and will host Milwaukee on Saturday. The Huskies and Leathernecks have several shared opponents to this point of the season, including Chicago State, Marquette, Saint Louis and Valparaiso. Western Illinois' two wins this season have come against Chicago State and Valparaiso.
