Contact: Rachel Balinao, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant, rabalinao@noctrl.edu

CHICAGO, Ill. (Oct. 8, 2025) - Adding another tally to the win column, the North Central College women's tennis team defeated North Park University, 7-0, in College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) play today. 

North Central set the tone early in doubles play, with Kensington Payne and Abigail Penados earning a 6-1 win at the No. 1 spot. Sophia Drozd and Eva Zaskowski followed at No. 3 to secure the doubles point with a 6-4 victory, while Liveta Ezerskis and Kate Herlihy battled at No. 2 before falling 3-6. 

The Cardinals stayed sharp in singles competition, with Kate Herlihy at No. 4 securing a 6-2, 6-1 victory. Abigail Penados extended the lead at No. 1, winning 6-1, 6-0, before Kensington Payne clinched the match for the Cardinals at No. 2 with a 7-5, 6-2 victory. Eva Zaskowski followed with a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 5, while Liveta Ezerskis added on for the Cardinals at No. 3, winning 6-4, 6-3. To close out the sweep, Sophia Drozd dominated at No. 6 with a 6-0, 6-0 finish.

With only two matches left in the regular season, North Central returns home tomorrow to host Carthage College at 3 p.m. at Nike Park in Naperville, Ill.