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

LISLE, Ill. (Sept. 7, 2025) - At the Benet Academy Tennis Courts, the North Central College women's tennis team picked up two non-conference wins, sweeping IIT 7-0 before claiming a 4-3 win over Lake Forest.

Against IIT, the Cardinals set the tone early by sweeping doubles play. Sophia Drozd and Anais Gerard earned a 6-0 win, followed by Kate Herlihy and Liveta Ezerskis taking a 6-0 victory to secure the doubles point. Abigail Penados and Kensington Payne added a 6-1 victory to complete the sweep.

North Central continued to dominate in singles action against IIT, Sophia Drozd finishing with a quick 6-1,6-1 win. Anais Gerard kept North Central going, defeating her opponent 6-1,6-0 followed by Penados securing her win 6-3,6-0. Payne finished her singles play with a 6-1,6-4 victory over IIT, while Ezerskis finished the morning for the Cardinals 6-0,6-0. North Central finished 7-0 against IIT.

Later in the day, the Cardinals faced a battle against Lake Forest, powered by dominant doubles play. Penados and Payne set the tone with a 6-4 win, while Herlihy and Ezerskis followed with another 6-4 victory to clinch the doubles point. Gerard and Drozd completed the day on doubles with a 7-6(8-6) victory.

In singles, Payne clinched the first point with a 6-3,6-2 victory, while Herlihy followed with a 6-2,7-5 victory for the next North Central point. Penados sealed the match for the Cardinals, defeating her opponent 6-4,6-1 to secure the 4-3 team victory. 

The North Central women's tennis hits the road this week on Sept. 10, as they face off against their CCIW opponent, Illinois Wesleyan. The Cardinals are scheduled to start at 4 p.m. at the Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington, Ill.