Nov. 5, 2006

URBANA, Ill. - The Northern Illinois's women's tennis squad finished out their last day at the Midwest Blast Tournament on a high note. The Huskies won two of out three doubles contests and one singles match.

"We beat big schools like Purdue and Illinois. We played and acted like we belonged with this group of players," head coach Ryun Ferrell said. "By far it was our best day out of all three."

In the Blue Flight Singles bracket, NIU's Stephanie Okuma beat Purdue's Whitney Melhorn 6-2, 6-1. Huskie Chrissy Nagel didn't fair as well, dropping her match 6-0, 6-4 to Illinois's Emily Wang.

In the Orange Flight Singles bracket, Huskies Nao Umemura and Lilian Asuaje lost their singles matches to Purdue and Louisville.

In the doubles draw, NIU's Nao Umemura and Lilian Asuaje defeated the Illini's Alejandra Meza Cuadra and Momei Qu 8-5. The Huskie duo of Dora Delgadillo and Jenny Edner also came away with a win, beating Purdue's Whitney Reys and Whitney Melhorn 8-5. NIU's Brooke Forsberg and Megan Brooks dropped their match 9-7 to Illinois's Kristina Minor and Shivani Dave.

The Huskies are back in action Jan. 26 at Wisconsin for non-conference play.

MIDWEST BLAST 2006 FINAL DAY RESULTS

Blue Flight Singles Back Draw:

Stephanie Okuma (NIU) def. Whitney Melhorn (PU); 6-2, 6-1

Emily Wang (UI) def. Chrissy Nagel (NIU); 6-0, 6-4

Orange Flight Singles Back Draw:

Cigdem Duru (PU) def. Nao Umemura (NIU); 6-3, 6-7(4), (10-6)

Doubles Back Draw:

Nao Umemura / Lilian Asuaje (NIU) def. Alejandra Meza Cuadra / Momei Qu (UI); 8-5

Kristina Minor / Shivani Dave (UI) def. Brooke Forsberg / Megan Brooks (NIU); 9-7

Dora Delgadillo / Jenny Edner (NIU) def. Whitney Reys / Whitney Melhorn (PU); 8-5

-NIU-