Sunday, March 17
Muncie, Ind.
1 pm ET
Ball State University
4
vs
3
Northern Illinois University
Women’s Tennis Opens MAC Play with Win Over NIU
March 17, 2024 | Women's Tennis
MUNCIE, Ind. - The 2023 reigning Mid-American Conference Tournament champions the Ball State women's tennis team opened league action with a 4-3 win over Northern Illinois Sunday afternoon at the Northwest YMCA.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 4-9 overall and 1-0 in conference play while the Huskies drop to 11-6 on the year and 0-1 in the MAC.
Ball State was able to take the doubles point from Northern Illinois after winning on courts one and three. At the No. 3 position, Elena Malykh and Sydney Hrehor defeated Anastasia Rakita and Reagan Welch, 6-2. Shortly after, Isabelle Tanjuatco and Sarah Shahbaz earned a 6-3 decision at the top spot to clinch the doubles point for the Cardinals.
In singles, NIU took a 2-1 lead quickly over BSU after taking courts two and six from the Cardinals. Hrehor knotted the score 2-2 winning in straight sets at the No. 4 slot. The Huskies went back up 3-2 with their victory on court No. 5.
With two courts remaining, Annika Planinsek beat Diana Lukyanova on the top court in a three set thriller which tied the score 3-3. Elena Malykh came through winning match point for Ball State after she beat Northern Illinois' No. 3 player Nataly Miroslavova Ninova, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
The Ball State women's tennis team will play at Eastern Michigan Friday at 1 pm ET.
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 4-9 overall and 1-0 in conference play while the Huskies drop to 11-6 on the year and 0-1 in the MAC.
Ball State was able to take the doubles point from Northern Illinois after winning on courts one and three. At the No. 3 position, Elena Malykh and Sydney Hrehor defeated Anastasia Rakita and Reagan Welch, 6-2. Shortly after, Isabelle Tanjuatco and Sarah Shahbaz earned a 6-3 decision at the top spot to clinch the doubles point for the Cardinals.
In singles, NIU took a 2-1 lead quickly over BSU after taking courts two and six from the Cardinals. Hrehor knotted the score 2-2 winning in straight sets at the No. 4 slot. The Huskies went back up 3-2 with their victory on court No. 5.
With two courts remaining, Annika Planinsek beat Diana Lukyanova on the top court in a three set thriller which tied the score 3-3. Elena Malykh came through winning match point for Ball State after she beat Northern Illinois' No. 3 player Nataly Miroslavova Ninova, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
The Ball State women's tennis team will play at Eastern Michigan Friday at 1 pm ET.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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