Sept. 18, 2009

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Northern Illinois women's tennis team finished its first day of the Ball State Invitational in Muncie, Ind., Friday, posting seven team wins, including four in singles play.

In the "B" Flight of singles play, sophomore Emily Rogers posted a come-from-behind, three-set win over Wright State's Masha Peresetsky, before being defeated by Bradley in another three-set decision. Also in the "B" Flight, sophomore Sara McLaughlin posted a straight-set victory over Dayton's Laina Grote, before falling to Ball State's Kylee Johnson, 6-3, 6-2.

After receiving a bye in the first-round of the Flight "C" singles division, freshman Brittni Fausett recorded a 6-2, 6-2 win over Dayton's Molly Matthews. Kelly Phillips also participated in the flight, capturing a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Eastern Illinois' Kristen Laird in the back draw.

Brooke Forsberg, Kendall Robison and Stephanie Okuma made up the Huskies' lineup in "D" Flight. NIU went a combined 0-3 in the division, but Okuma automatically advanced to the second round after receiving a first-round bye.

In the "A" Flight, Katie Friedlund fell in consecutive decisions in the respective main and back draws.

Fausett and Rogers picked up an 8-4 pro-set win over EIU's Amanda Dibbs and Annie Egan in the "B" Doubles Flight. Robison and Okuma teamed to post an 8-5 victory over Milwuakee's tandem of Beth Ganser and Ashley Schoeneman in the "D" Flight. NIU went a combined 0-2 in the "A" and "C" doubles flights, respectively.

The Huskies will resume play in the Ball State Invitational Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. Doubles play will kick-off the action.