Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324

Oct. 9, 2025 - Earning a share of the sixth College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Championship in a row, the North Central College women's tennis team defeated Carthage College for the ninth consecutive time, with a 6-1 victory at Nike Park.

Abigail Penados and Kensington Payne secured the first point for the Cardinals with a 6-3 win over Xingchen Liu and Niki Manojlovica at the top spot after the Firebirds won at No. 2. Eva Zaskowski and Sophia Drozd earned a clutch 7-6 (9-7) win at No. 3 to claim the doubles point.

Payne rolled past Rya Arreazola at No. 2, 6-1, 6-1 to win the first singles match of the contest. Bringing the Cardinals within a point of the team victory, Kate Herlihy picked up a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 4. Drozd clinched the match with a 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 victory at No. 6. Penados beat Xingchen in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2 with Liveta Ezerskis doing the same, 6-1, 6-3. E. Zaskowski won a hard-fought match at No. 5, 6-2, 3-6, 

The Cardinals have a chance to win the title outright Saturday as they close out the fall season with a match against Elmhurst University at 9 a.m. North Central will be presented with the trophy and banner following the conclusion of Saturday's match at the Brunne Tennis Courts. 

In addition to the conference championship, the Cardinals have earned the No. 1 seed for the CCIW Tournament, hosted by North Park University from April 23 to 25, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Division III Tournament.