Haley Dekkinga
The Northern Illinois women’s tennis team took down the University North Dakota in dominating fashion Saturday morning at the Black Hawk Tennis Club.
The Huskies looked great early and often as they defeated the Bison 6-1 for their third victory of the season.
“In doubles, we came out a little slow but we took care of business in singles play,” said NIU head coach Ryun Ferrell.
“We could’ve been a little down after last night, but we came out hungry and ready to play. It was a good day. We are 3-2, which is more wins than we had all of last year. We’re looking to keep it up in Peoria tomorrow.”
Improving her wins streak to five was freshman sensation Mary Malkin (Tel Aviv, Isreal/Alliance). Malkin defeated UND’s Mindy Lawrence in straight sets 6-0, 6-0, giving her four straight matches without dropping a set. She now sits at 5-0 on the season.
Adding to the Huskie victory were freshmen Nelle Youel (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) and Arantza De La Torre (San Luis Potosi, Mexico/Motolinia). Neither player dropped a set as Youel and De La Torre beat North Dakota’s Stephanie Biehn 6-1, 6-1 and Hailey Whitman 6-0, 6-3, respectively.
Also contributing to NIU’s singles success were sophomore Haley Dekkinga (Allegan, Mich./Allegan) and senior Emily Rogers (Rochester, Minn./Century). Dekkinga swept Sarah Stejskal in straight sets to earn her third win of the season. Rogers earned her win by making quick work of Megan Sween with a score of 6-1, 6-1.
The doubles play of the Huskies was once again a factor in victory as all three sets of partners won their matches. Freshman Stephanie McDonald (Harare, Zimbabwe/St. Anne’s Diocesan College) earned her second doubles start of the season with Dekkinga as they laid out the team of Viegut/Lawrence by mark of 8-3.
The duo of Youel/De La Torre picked up their first win of the season over the set of Sween/Stejskal with an 8-3 final. Rounding out the Huskies’ win column was the senior tandem of McLaughlin/Rogers. They beat the pairing of Petis/Biehn 8-5 to finish a sweep of doubles play.
The Huskies will continue play in Peoria, Ill., as they take on the Bradley Braves on Sunday, Feb. 5, at 10 a.m.
For more information on NIU women’s tennis and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
