Women's Tennis | April 22
DeKALB, Ill. – Irmak Budak and
Nataly Ninova of the Northern Illinois University women's tennis team have each been named to the All Mid-American Conference Second Team, the league announced today.
"We are really proud of Nat and Irmak and this accomplishment. To be recognized as top players in this league is a big honor as there is so much depth in the MAC," said head coach
Eric Burns.
Budak earned her first All-MAC honors after recording 14 singles wins this spring, including winning the final three conferences matches at No. 1. The sophomore also added eight doubles wins in the dual season.
"Irmak probably had the results to be All-MAC a year ago but was passed over so I'm glad she was able to get it this year," said Burns. "She had an unbelievable start to the season with wins over Missouri and Minnesota. She was asked to move up a spot in the line up from last year and as a sophomore did a nice job at the top spot for our team."
Ninova earned her second consecutive all-conference selection, becoming the first NIU player to receive back-to-back All-MAC honors since 2016-17 (Adey Osabouhein) and sixth in program history to do so. Ninova had a team-high 19 singles wins this spring while adding 11 doubles wins, becoming the program's all-time career combined and singles wins lead in her final season with NIU.
"Nataly, as a leader, was excellent again this year and was a rock for our team. She's someone we can always count on to fight and compete," said Burns. "For her to be recognized for a second consecutive year from a lower position in the line-up says a lot about how good and consistent she is. She was almost an automatic point for us the last two years. I'm so proud of all her accomplishments here at NIU and we will miss her next year."
Budak and Ninova each earning all-conference honors mark the second consecutive year in which NIU landed multiple players on the All-MAC team in a single season. It's only the second time in program history in which NIU has had multiple All-MAC selections in consecutive seasons (2002-03).
The duo helped the Huskies reach 17 wins this season, second most in the MAC, and reach 15 or more wins for the third consecutive season for the first time in program history.
