March 31, 2007

Carbondale, Ill. - The Huskies (4-6, 0-2 MAC) were one win shy of defeating Southern Illinois (8-4, 1-0 MVC) Saturday afternoon, losing to the Salukis, 4-3, in a close match that had to be moved indoors due to rain.

NIU looked to be in prime position to take the match as the 100 percent focus on doubles play in practice throughout the week paid off. The Huskies took the doubles point from SIU by winning the number two and three doubles matches. The combo of Lilian Asuaje and Nao Umemura defeated SIU's Martina Vianna Ce and Amanda Taillefer, 8-3, at number two doubles. The duo of Dora Delgadillo and Jenny Edner beat SIU's Sabine Tsala Mvilongo and Agata Skorupska, 8-5, at the third doubles slot to give the Huskies the point.

About halfway through the first singles match rain forced the match to be played indoors. The switch seemed to halt the momentum of NIU head coach Ryun Ferrell and the Huskies.

"[The adjustment from outdoors to indoors] was huge," Ferrell said. "When we were outside we were killing them in singles. Once we went inside they were a different team. They started hitting the ball crisper and we were trying to grind them down, but it was pretty hard to do."

Despite the change, Jenny Edner picked up a win for NIU by beating Saluki Ame Blacketer, 6-3, 6-3, at number two singles to give the Huskies a 2-1 advantage in the match. After losing the third singles match, Brooke Forsberg was able to give NIU the advantage again by taking down SIU's Jessica Flannery, 6-3, 6-4, at the fourth spot. However, the Huskies were unable to put away the Salukis, losing the last two singles matches to give SIU the 4-3 victory.

"The effort was amazing," said Ferrell. "We played for over five hours. I liked it, but we just came up short, again. We got the doubles point, which was one of our main goals for the weekend. So, we took a step forward there. Now, we have to get over the hump in the singles arena. We still have to go back to the drawing table and keep improving."

The Huskies return to action and Mid-American Conference play Friday, April 6, 2007 in a road match against Eastern Michigan at 1pm.

-NIU-

Results

Doubles

1) Ame Blacketer/Jessica Flannery (SIU) def. Megan Brooks / Brooke Forsberg 8-5

2) Lilian Asuaje / Nao Umemura def. Martina Vianna Ce/Amanda Taillefer (SIU) 8-3

3) Dora Delgadillo / Jenny Edner def. Sabine Tsala Mvilongo/Agata Skorupska (SIU) 8-3

Singles

1) Sabine Tsala Mvilongo (SIU) def. Lilian Asuaje (NIU) 6-4, 6-2

2) Jenny Edner (NIU) def. Ame Blacketer (SIU) 6-3, 6-3

3) Agata Skorupska (SIU) def. Nao Umemura (NIU) 6-3, 6-2

4) Brooke Forsberg (NIU) def. Jessica Flannery (SIU) 6-3, 6-4

5) Martina Vianna Ce (SIU) def. Dora Delgadillo (NIU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4

6) Amanda Taillefer (SIU) def. Megan Brooks (NIU) 6-3, 6-2