Sept. 19, 2009

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Northern Illinois women's tennis team wrapped up competition in the Ball State Invitational with a solid showing Saturday, posting 11 team victories, highlighted by a Flight "C" singles championship by freshman Brittni Fausett.

Fausett defeated Milwaukee's Kelly Fritz (6-3, 6-2) in her first match, before recording a straight-set (6-3, 6-1) win over Bradley's Jessica Buterbaugh in the finals. Classmate Kelly Phillips also had a strong showing in the "C" flight, securing the back draw title with consecutive straight-set wins over Milwaukee and Ball State, respectively.

The Huskies went a combined 3-0 in the "D" Flight of singles play. Stephanie Okuma recorded back-to-back straight-set victories over Dayton and Wright State, followed by a 6-1, 6-1 win by freshman Kendall Robison over Bradley's Bridgette Graf in the back draw. Robison received a first-round bye Saturday.

In Flight "A" singles competition, NIU's Katie Friedlund posted a 6-2, 6-2 win over Milwaukee's Kelly Drvaric in her only match of the day. Sophomores Emily Rogers and Sara McLaughlin each played Eastern Illinois' Juliana Fray in the "B" flight, with McLaughlin picking up a 7-6, 7-5 win. Rogers was outlasted in a three-set (6-1, 5-7 [10-3]) decision.

NIU went winless in the respective three doubles flights. The Huskies' tandems included Friedlund and McLaughlin (Flight "A"), Rogers and Fausett (Flight "B") and Okuma and Robison (Flight "C"). Overall, NIU posted an 11-5 team record on the day.

The Huskies will be idle next weekend, before heading to the Windy City to compete in the UIC Fall Invitational, Oct. 2-3.