Women's Tennis | April 17

DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women's tennis team took down Ball State 5-2 on Friday afternoon in an energetic match. Following the match, NIU recognized the senior class of Jenna Horne, Nataly Ninova and Isabella Righi – the winningest class in school history.

"They've been the best group here at NIU in the history of the program," said head coach Eric Burns. "We've been to the postseason, we've been to a championship in the MAC. No team had done that here in women's tennis."

All three recorded wins on the day with Righi going 2-0 in both singles and doubles, Horne posting a doubles win and Ninova securing a singles win. The class closes their career with 67 team wins since arriving in 2022.

"They changed the culture to a hardworking culture, more blue collar than it had been and more serious about accomplishing goals," said Burns.

The match was competitive from the opening serve with NIU claiming the doubles point with 6-4 and 7-5 wins at No. 2 and No. 3. Righi / Lucia Yecora held off a late push from Ball State for the 6-4 win.

Irmak Budak / Horne clinched the point with their backs against the wall, claiming a 7-5 win and giving NIU an early advantage.

"It was huge we were able to get the doubles point. They're very good at doubles, very difficult to beat this year," said Burns. "For us to get that, it really took one of their strengths away and put us in good position heading into singles."

Yecora (Seville, Spain / IES V Centenario School) locked in the first singles win for NIU, defeating Alana Bristow 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2. Ninova (Palma de Mallorca, Spain / IES Centre de Tecnificacio Esportiva IB) followed with the final win of her career, winning 6-3, 6-4. The program's all-time wins leader walks away from NIU with 166 career wins and 96 career singles victories.

With four courts alive, Righi (Palma de Mallorca, Spain / IES Centre de Tecnificacio Esportiva IB) took an impressive 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 6 to clinch in the final match of her career with the Huskies.

Budak (Istanbul, Turkey / SAJEV) was put to the test with a marathon of a match with Priyanka Rana, prevailing 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4) in a match that lasted nearly three hours. Budak and fellow sophomore Yecora closed the season with three straight conference wins.

"We were ready for this match being Senior Day, protecting our home court and wanting to finish the right way," said Burns. "Ball State is a rival and we always get up for this match. We just brought good energy today"

The Huskies close the season at 17-8 (3-5 MAC). Friday's win denies Ball State a MAC Tournament bid and was the 10th home victory of the season, the third consecutive season with 10-or-more home wins.