Box Score The Northern Illinois women's tennis outlasted Chicago State 4-3 Saturday morning in a match which last nearly four hours and wasn't decided until the final two three-set matches where, with Chicago State holding a 3-2 lead, the Huskies earned wins in the final two matches to pull out the victory.
"Although it was disappointing, I am really proud of how the women competed today," head coach
Jack Barton said. "This match was three hours and 53 minutes of ups and downs, excitement and pure grit.
"With the duel meet tied at 3-3, Katarina (Dukic) came back in the second set from down 5-2 down to lead 6-5. She faced two match points and her opponent came up with some amazing shots to get it to 6-6, where Katarina won the tiebreaker. She lost the match but she gave everything she had for three hours and 23 minutes. Her opponent, and NIU, earned the win today."
With the loss, the Cougars dropped to 2-9 but, according to Barton, the record doesn't reflect how well the team has been playing.
"This is the third 4-3 match we've lost in the last two weeks against some really great teams, so I am keeping the team motivated and encouraged. I want them to realize that they are good enough and they should know who they are.
"And my appreciation goes out to the members at Homewood Flossmoor, the staff, and the tennis community for coming out and staying through and exciting match. Their support means a lot to the team. It was a great tennis environment for an exciting college tennis match."
Compete results listed below.
Following an afternoon match against Purdue Northwest, the Cougars will face St. Louis at home Saturday, February 24 at 10 a.m. then will face Chicago on Sunday, February 25 at 4 p.m. at the Henry Crown Field House.
Northern Illinois vs Chicago State
2/18/2024 at Homewood, IL
(H-F Racquet and Fitness)
Northern Illinois 4, Chicago State 3
Singles competition
1. Diana Lukyanova (NIUW) def.
Katarina Dukic (CSUW) 7-5, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3
2. Erika Dimitriev (NIUW) def.
Sofiya Sedovich (CSUW) 6-4, 6-3
3.
Manuella Eloundou (CSUW) def. Nataly Ninova (NIUW) 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
4. Isabella Righi (NIUW) def.
Amina Taibi (CSUW) 6-2, 6-4
5.
Ethel Li (CSUW) def. Reagan Welch (NIUW) 7-5, 6-2
6. Jenna Horne (NIUW) def.
Nia Cooper (CSUW) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
Doubles competition
1.
Manuella Eloundou/
Nia Cooper (CSUW) vs. Erika Dimitriev/Nataly Ninova (NIUW) 5-1, unfinished
2.
Ethel Li/
Sofiya Sedovich (CSUW) def. Diana Lukyanova/Isabella Righi (NIUW) 6-1
3.
Katarina Dukic/
Amina Taibi (CSUW) def. Jenna Horne/Reagan Welch (NIUW) 6-2
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (5,2,4,3,6,1)
About Chicago State Athletics
Chicago State University competes in the Northeast Conference (effective July 2024) and sponsors 16 Division I intercollegiate athletics teams involving over 150 student-athletes that compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track, triathlon and volleyball.
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