East Michigan News

The Eastern Michigan University tennis team faced a setback in their Mid-American Conference opener, falling to Northern Illinois University with a score of 5-2. The match took place on March 16 at the Nelson Tennis Center in DeKalb, Illinois.

The Eagles initially secured the doubles point and took an early lead of 2-0 after Prerna Vichare won her singles match. However, the Huskies rallied back to win five consecutive matches, clinching the victory.

Head Coach Ryan Kucera commented on the competitive nature of the match: "Today was a really high-level tennis match. The doubles point was back and forth. Daniella Shved and Lara Diaz Zayas did an excellent job to stay composed and battle back to take that point. From there, it was a high-level battle on all six courts. Credit to NIU; they maintained their level all the way through the match and were tough on the big points. I know it burns the girls to let the match slip away. Every MAC match is going to be a battle and we will use this to push us forward."

In doubles play, Sabina Brichackova and Vichare triumphed in their No. 1 doubles match with a score of 6-2. Meanwhile, Diaz Zayas and Shved secured their No. 3 doubles match with a 7-5 victory, ensuring Eastern Michigan claimed the doubles point.

Vichare's singles victory extended EMU's lead temporarily before Northern Illinois gained momentum in subsequent matches. Despite close contests across several courts, including three-set battles by Brichackova, Viki Hazmukova, Shved, and Marta Komar, EMU could not hold off NIU's comeback.

The loss brings Eastern Michigan's season record to 7-7 overall and 0-1 in conference play while Northern Illinois improves to 13-3 overall and 1-0 in conference action.

Looking ahead, Eastern Michigan is set for two more Mid-American Conference matches next weekend against Western Michigan University on March 21 and Ball State University on March 23.

Stay updated with EMU tennis via social media platforms Instagram (@emu_tennis), X (@EMUEaglesTennis), and Facebook (EMUTennis).

Northern Illinois def. Eastern Michigan, 5-2

Singles:

#1: Maria Dzemeshkevich (NI) def. Daniella Shved

#2: Irmak Budak (NI) def. Viki Hazmukova

#3: Prerna Vichare (EM) def. Erika Dimitriev

#4: Nataly Ninova (NI) def. Sabina Brichackova

#5: Lucia Yecora (NI) def. Marta Komar

#6: Isabella Righi (NI) def. Regina Mendez

Doubles:

#1: S. Brichackova / P. Vichare (EM) def. M. Dzemeshkevich / N. Ninova

#2: I. Righi / L. Yecora (NI) def. V. Hazmukova / M. Komar

#3: Lara Diaz Zayas / D.Shved (EM) def.Jenna Horne / Reagan Welch