Rang Clinches 4-3 Win For Women's Tennis At NIU

Friday, April 10

DeKalb, Ill.

1:00 PM

Ball State University

Northern Illinois

April 10, 2015 | Women's Tennis

Box Score

By: Ball State Athletics

DEKALB, Ill. - The Ball State women's tennis team won its second-straight Mid-American Conference match Friday afternoon at Northern Illinois by a score of 4-3.

With the win, the Cardinals improved their overall record to 12-4 on the season and 2-2 in league action while the Huskies fall to 11-6 overall and 2-3 in MAC play.

"So proud of my team today," Ball State head women's tennis coach Max Norris said. "Everyone played a part in this win. Midway through the match you could tell it was going to be close. Nevertheless we stepped up as a team and won here where NIU was previously 7-0. I saw some tremendous growth from Ball State today. We are so excited for Sunday! Go cards!"

Rosalinda Calderon alongside doubles partner Courtney Earnest started doubles off with a 6-0 victory on the top court. Bethany Moore and Courtney Wild then clinched the doubles point for Ball State with their 6-3 victory over Evelyn Youel and Abigail Dekkinga at the No. 2 doubles position.

In singles action, Earnest put the Cardinals up 2-0 over the Huskies after claiming a 6-2, 6-2, win over Cristina Alvarez. Northern Illinois quickly responded taking the next two matches from Ball State on courts six and four to even the score 2-2 with three matches remaining.

After that, Toni Ormond would give Ball State a 3-2 advantage over Northern Illinois after beating Mary Malkin, 6-4, 7-5 at the No. 3 position. On court five, Ashlyn Rang would clinch the winning point for the Cardinals after taking a three set thriller, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2, from Evelyn Youel. Wild was the last match to finish, the senior battled but lost in three sets to Nelle Youel, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-4 for her first conference loss of the season.

"I went into the match fully prepared for a battle, but I was determined to come out on top," Ball State women's tennis player Ashlyn Rang said. "I stayed strong and focused, especially when it counted in the third set. The team deserved this win. We have been working extremely hard. I'm very proud of what we have accomplished and I look forward to what we will continue to achieve the rest of the year."

The Ball State women's tennis team continues Mid-American Conference action when it hosts Eastern Michigan, Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Cardinal Creek Tennis Center.