Oct. 4, 2009

GRIFFITH, Ind. - After seeing the UIC Invitational moved indoors due to inclement weather Friday, the NIU women's tennis team played just one round of action in a "hidden dual" format at the Match Point Tennis and Fitness Club in Griffith, Ind.

"I was really pleased with our effort out there," said NIU head coach Ryun Ferrell. "Lewis didn't play, so the tournament was moved to a hidden dual format, which really tested our kids. They now know what to expect in that type of competitive situation."

"We are getting better each week in the fall season, and with three tournaments in four weekends, our players were definitely tired out there. I just really like the attitude and grit of this team. To be forced to play four matches in one day and battle like we did, it says something about the toughness of this group."

Going head-to-head with the host Flames in the morning session, freshman Brittni Fausett highlighted the Huskies' performance, posting a 6-2, 5-7 (10-8) win in the No. 4 singles flight. Kathryn Friedlund, Emily Rogers, Sara McLaughlin, Kelly Phillips, Stephanie Okuma and Kendall Robison all dropped straight-set singles decisions.

In a doubles format against Northern Iowa, Rogers and Fausett battled at the No. 2 slot, but eventually fell, 8-6, in a pro-set decision. Friedlund and McLaughlin dropped an 8-2 match at No. 1 doubles.

In the other doubles draw, versus UIC, Phillips and Okuma also nearly forced extra frames, but were defeated by the Flames' Mariya Kovaleva and Kristen McPhillips, 8-6. Phillips captured a 6-3, 6-1 win at the No. 5 singles flight in the singles competition against UNI, to highlight the Huskies' effort in the final dual-match of the tournament.

The Huskies will be idle for the next two weekends, before wrapping up their fall season at the ITA Midwest Regionals in Urbana, Ill., Oct. 23-25.