The Northern Illinois University women’s tennis team saw its six-match winning streak snapped Friday afternoon with a 5-2 road loss at Eastern Michigan.

NIU is now 20-5 on the season and 6-2 in the Mid-American Conference and remains in contention for both the West Division and the regular season MAC Championship. The Huskies will play host to Buffalo on Sunday, April 13 beginning at 11 a.m. in the final home dual of the 2025 season. Following the match, which will be played at either the Nelson Tennis Center at Chick Evans Field House or at the Sycamore High School Tennis Courts in Sycamore, NIU will honor seniors Erika Dimitriev, Maria Dzemeshkevich and Reagan Welch. Check the NIU social media accounts and NIUHuskies.com Saturday.

“We got off to a poor start in doubles and didn’t execute well today except at 5 and 6 singles,” said NIU head coach Eric Burns. “[Eastern Michigan] is very difficult to beat at home and we need to come out with more energy and more focus. We didn’t bring that today and that’s why we didn’t get this win.”

NIU lost at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles as the Eagles secured the first point. Junior Jenna Horne made it 1-1 with a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 6 singles, but the Huskies suffered straight set losses at 1, 2 and 3 singles as EMU claimed the victory.

Sophomore Isabella Righi won her match at No. 5 singles, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 to earn the Huskies’ second point. At No. 4 singles, junior Nataly Ninova forced her opponent to a third set as she stands one singles win away from the school single season record, but fell by the final score of 6-0, 4-6, 6-2.