Valparaiso stepped out of Horizon League action on Friday afternoon, losing a 6-1 decision to Northern Illinois at the NIU West Tennis Courts in DeKalb, Ill.

The Huskies opened the match winning all three doubles contests by 8-1 scores.  Sara McLaughlin and Emily Rogers topped Kristin Zakiewicz (Bristol, Ind./Northridge H.S.) and Megan Barthels (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central H.S.) at the top of the lineup while Arantza De La Torre and Nelle Youel defeated Stephanie York (Elkhart, Ind./Jimtown H.S.) and Kaitlyn Hamel (Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain H.S.) at the second spot.  At third doubles, Haley Dekkinga and Stephanie McDonald defeated Michele Fredlake (South Bend, Ind./Saint Joseph’s H.S.) and Angelina Goheen (Aurora, Ill./Rosary H.S.).

Valpo tied the match at one as York defeated Rogers at third singles when Rogers retired leading 4-3 in the opening set.  Northern Illinois (8-7) won the other five matches in straight sets.  McLaughlin downed Barthels 6-1, 6-0 at number one while Youel was a 6-1, 6-1 winner over Hamel at number two.  De La Torre was a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Fredlake at four while Mary Malkin defeated Zakiewicz 6-0, 6-1 at the fifth spot.  McDonald topped Brittany O’Reilly (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest H.S.) by the same 6-0, 6-1 score at number six singles.

Valparaiso (4-8) will return to the courts on Sunday afternoon, battling Green Bay.  First serve is slated for 2 p.m. in Wisconsin.