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

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Sept. 10, 2025) - In their first road match of the season, the North Central College women's tennis team extended the win streak to five, defeating Illinois Wesleyan University 6-1, for their third College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin win.
 
The Cardinals swept doubles play against the Titans, as No. 1 pair Abigail Penados and Kensington Payne secured a 6-2 victory. At No. 2, Liveta Ezerskis and Kate Herlihy battled to a 7-6 (7-2) win, followed by Sophia Drozd and Anais Gerard finishing the sweep at No. 3 with a 7-6 (8-6) victory.
 
Abigail Penados, in the No. 1 spot, secured the first singles win with a 6-1, 6-1 victory. Kensington Payne followed in the No. 2 position claiming a 6-0, 6-2 win, along with Liveta Ezerskis winning 6-0, 6-2 at No. 3. To clinch the win for North Central. Kate Herlihy at No. 4 secured another victory for the Cardinals winning 6-3, 6-4. Illinois Wesleyan, Elana Religioso, earns a point for the Titans at No. 6 winning 7-5, 6-2. To claim the final point for the Cardinals, at No. 5, Anais Gerard battles in a 6-2, 4-6, 10-4 win.
 
North Central women's tennis will be back in action when a select group attends the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regionals. The ITA Regionals will take place Sept. 19-21 at the Tao Tennis Center in St. Louis, Mo.