Feb. 25, 2012

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Northern Illinois women's tennis team dropped its first match since February 3 on Saturday to the Red Wolves of Arkansas State. The Huskies--now 5-3 on the year--were swept for the first time this season despite playing some of their best tennis all season.

 "It was a tough day," said NIU Head Coach Ryun Ferrell. "ASU was completely on. The sad thing is that we played some of our best tennis, so you can't be too disappointed. We are just going to pick a fight against SIU tomorrow. Then we'll get back to work. There's a lot of tennis to be played."

 The tandem of sophomore Haley Dekkinga (Allegan, Mich./Allegan) and freshman Stephanie McDonald (Harare, Zimbabwe/St. Anne's Diocesan College) eked out the lone victory for the Huskies by defeating ASU's team of Slijepcevic/Heeps-Eriksen 8-3. With the victory, the Dekkinga/McDonald duo improved their doubles play winning streak to four on the season.

 The Huskies will take on the Southern Illinois Salukis on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. CT.

--NIU--

ARKANSAS STATE (6-2) DEF. NORTHERN ILLINOIS (5-3), 7-0
FEBRUARY 25, 2012 | SPORTS BLAST

DOUBLES
1. Rong/Teu (ASU) def. McLaughlin/Rogers (NIU), 8-6
2. Nowland/Miloshevska (ASU) def. Youel/De La Torre (NIU), 8-3
3. Dekkinga/McDonald (NIU)def.  Slijepcevic/Heeps-Eriksen (ASU), 8-3

SINGLES
1. Mahuiyang Rong (ASU) def. Sara McLaughlin (NIU), 6-2, 6-1
2. Tamara Slijepcevic (ASU) def. Nelle Youel (NIU), 6-2, 6-2
3. Janie Nowland (ASU) def. Emily Rogers (NIU), 6-2, 6-2
4. Biljana Miloshevska (ASU) def. Haley Dekkinga (NIU), 6-3, 6-3
5. Ioana Teu (ASU) def. Mary Malkin (NIU), 6-4, 6-2
6. Ceara Howey (ASU) def. Arantza De La Torre (NIU), 6-4, 6-1