The University of Northern Iowa tennis team was on the road in Illinois this week as they faced off with both the Northern Illinois Huskies and the Chicago State Cougars in dual action. Although they would put up valiant efforts, they would end up falling to both teams. Thaissa Moreira was the only Panther in both outings to be victorious in her matches.

First up was the doubles matches against Northern Illinois. The team of Lorena Cardoso and Darta Dalecka lost their match 6-1 against their opponents. Andrijana Brkic and Kim Zizek were also unable to get their job done against the Huskies. Moreira and her partner Issa Sullivan were partially into their game against their opponents until it was ultimately suspended when the Huskies clinched the doubles point while up 4-2. 

Dalecka was unsuccessful in her singles outing as well against Northern Illinois. She lost her first two sets against her opponent. The outcome was similar for Brkic as she also lost her sets with nearly identical scoring. Zizek tried to open up the win column for the Panthers but also lost in straight sets. Moreira sought redemption for her team and got it as she defeated her opponent in straight sets (6-1, 6-4). Sullivan put up an effort against the Huskies but ultimately retired while trailing 5-0. Lasya Mylavarapu only lost her first set by two points and was optimistic that the second would be her chance at victory. Unfortunately, she lost the following set 6-0 to give the Panthers the definitive dual loss. 

The Panthers would go right back at it the following day as they faced Chicago State. In doubles action all three teams improved, but not enough to claim victory. Dalecka and Cardoso lost 6-4, Brkic and Zizek lost 6-4 and Moreira and Sullivan lost 6-0. 

Dalecka was up first in singles action and lost to Cali Fuller of Chicago State 6-2, 6-4. Brkic had a very close first set, ultimately losing 7-5, before losing the match after a 6-2 second set. Zizek had a very competitive match, claiming the first set 6-4, before dropping the ensuing sets, 7-5, 10-5. Moreira defeated Sofiya Sedovich in a tightly contested match. She lost the first set 6-2, before winning the next two 6-4 and 10-3, respectively. Sullivan lost her singles match in straight sets. Mylavarapu also dropped her last matchup of the weekend in straight sets to give the Cougars a dual victory. 

The Panthers will return home this weekend as they face the St. Thomas Tommies on Friday, Feb. 17 at 4 p.m., before taking on the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Black Hawk Tennis Club in Waterloo.