The Northern Illinois University women’s tennis team dropped a hard-fought road battle to Miami on Friday afternoon, falling 4-3.

Senior Nataly Ninova (Palma de Mallorca, Spain / IES Centre De Tecnificacio Esportiva IB) claimed a three-set singles victory against the RedHawks, her 27th win during the 2026 dual season and 163th career combined win. The Friday afternoon win for Ninova ties Nelle Youel (2011-15) for the most combined career victories in program history.

The senior surpassed Youel in all-time singles victories last month and will have two more opportunities to break the combined victories record.

Irmak Budak / Jenna Horne won at No. 3 doubles 6-2 and the duo now has back-to-back wins. Miami claimed the point with both courts ending by score of 6-4.

The RedHawks won the first match in singles play, but NIU responded with wins at No. 1 and No. 3 to tie the match at 2-2 thanks to a pair of sophomores.

Lucia Yecora (Seville, Spain / IES V Centenario School) answered first, downing Avery Voss 6-2, 6-2 while Budak (Istanbul, Turkey / SAJEV) landed a 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 victory over Maria Luisa Oliveira. Each snapped a singles losing skid and claimed their first conference win of the season.

Ninova’s win kept the Huskies alive while Miami claimed the next singles point. The RedHawks clinched the match with a 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 2.

NIU has two more matches this season, both at home, starting with Bowling Green on Sunday, April 12 and Ball State on Friday, April 17.