April 23, 2008

DEKALB, Ill. -The Northern Illinois University women's tennis team travels to Buffalo, N.Y. to compete in the 2008 Mid-American Conference Tennis Championships. The Huskies (3-13, 1-7) are the No. 7 seed and will face off against No. 8 seed Akron Thursday at 11 a.m. Central Time.

"So far in doubles we've stuck to the same basic plan. For the most part, we execute and we get it done," NIU head coach Ryun Ferrell said. "When it comes to singles, when it gets to four all, we feel like we need to do more. We don't have to do more. Make them come up the big shot to bring you down. If they do it, great, if not, you're going to be okay. That's what I'd like to see my team grasp."

NIU defeated the Zips 4-3 earlier this season at the Clock Tower Racquet Club. Thursday's contest with the Zips is a rematch of last season's 2007 MAC Championships First Round game. The Huskies won that match 4-0 and have won the last three meeting between the two teams.

The winner of the Northern Illinois-Akron match will take on top-seeded Western Michigan at 9 a.m. Central Time. Fans can log onto the MAC Championships website at http://www.ubathletics.buffalo.edu/womenstennis/mac08/index.shtml for the latest information.