March 11, 2008

DAYTONA, Fla-The Northern Illinois University women's tennis team dropped its second match in Florida, falling to Embry-Riddle, 4-3, but showed a huge improvement from its previous match.

"It was by far the most enthusiastic performance by our team," NIU head coach Ryun Ferrell said. "We're ready for conference. We're on the right track to take on Buffalo and Akron next weekend."

After a disappointing showing against Steston the day before, the Huskies (2-6) came out with more intensity against today's opponent. Kathryn Friedlund (Parkville, Mo. Park Hill South) and Brooke Forsberg (Moline, Ill./Moline) recorded victories for NIU in No. 3 and No. 5 doubles. Friedlund, defeated her counterpart in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Embry-Riddle's Margarita Rico pushed Forsberg to a third set, but she defeated Rico, 6-2, 0-6, 6-0.

Forsberg teamed with Nao Umemura (Kasugai-shi Aichi, Japan/Kardina International) to pull out a 9-8 victory in No. 2 doubles. Jenny Edner (Stocksund, Sweden/Kramfors Tennis Gymnasiet) and Dora Delgadillo (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores) posted an 8-4 win in No. 3 doubles.

The Huskies will be back on the courts Friday, March 21, 2008 when NIU opens conference play against Buffalo at 1 p.m.

Singles

No. 1 Natasa Zoricic (ER) def. Nao Umemura (NIU) 6-3, 6-2

No. 2 Hanna Im (ER) def. Lilian Asuaje (NIU) 6-3, 6-1

No. 4. Megan Jones (ER) def. Dora Delgadillo (NIU) 6-3, 6-3

No. 5. Brooke Forsberg (NIU) def. Margarita Rico (ER) 6-2, 0-6, 6-0

No. 6. Sara Abraul (ER) def. Stephanie Okuma (NIU) 7-6, 6-4

Doubles

No. 1 Im/Zoricic (ER) def. Asuaje/ Friedlund (NIU) 8-4

No. 2. Forsberg/Umemura (NIU) def. Anaya/Krutz (ER) 9-8

No. 3. Delgadillo/Edner (NIU) def. Rico/Abrual, 8-4