Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Oct. 16, 2021) - Tying the single-season win record for a fall season, the North Central College women's tennis team closed out their 2021 fall slate of games with an 8-1 win over Carthage College on Saturday afternoon to move to a perfect 11-0, and 8-0 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW).

Adding to their program record for doubles wins in a career, Hannah Hougland and Alaina Kanthaphixay took down the Firebirds No. 1 doubles team 8-1 before the tandem of Natalie Bassett/Kaeli Smashey beat Rachel Anderson/Giovanna Mendes 8-2. The Firebirds earned their lone win of the match in the No. 3 doubles spot with an 8-5 win.

Moving to singles play, Smashey earned her ninth dual win of the season at the No. 1 position. Hougland won over Muana Da Silva 6-1, 6-0 in the No. 2 spot while Bassett won in three sets 6-1, 5-7, 10-6 for her seventh CCIW win. At No. 4 singles, Kanthaphixay beat Mendes 6-1, 6-1 before Sydney Sawyer earned a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 5. Nina Patience posted a 6-4, 6-1 won at No. 6 singles to sweep singles play for North Central.

Sitting atop the conference, the Cardinals have earned the No. 1 seed in next weekend's CCIW Championships. They will face the winner of the 8/9 seed match which will take place prior to the Cardinals match on Thursday. Elmhurst is the designated host of the event. Click HERE for tournament information.

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