Contact: Alex Mielcarz, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant, ajmielcarz@noctrl.edu
MADISON, Wis. (April 4, 2026) – Playing among some of the region's best competition, the North Central College women's tennis team traveled north Friday to take part in the Midwestern Invitational in Madison, Wisconsin, at Nielsen Tennis Stadium. The Cardinals dropped two duals on the first day of the tournament, losing 7-0 to No. 23 Denison University and 4-3 to No. 28 University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
The Cardinals entered the week ranked 47th in the nation, their first appearance in the ITA poll this spring.
MATCH 1 vs. Denison
The No. 23 team in the country had very little trouble dispatching the Cardinals in the opening round of the eight-team bracket, sweeping North Central 7-0.
In doubles play, the Cardinals put up a good fight, but were unable to come away with any victories. Kensington Payne and Abigail Penados lost their match 6-3, as did Sophia Drozd and Meghan McSweeny. The pairing of Liveta Ezerskis and Kate Herlihy fell 6-1 in its contest.
Denison's success continued in singles, as the Cardinals were only able to muster one set victory in the six singles matches.
Penados forced a third set in her match after losing the opening set 6-2 by rebounding with a 6-3 win in the second set. However, her opponent prevailed in the extra tiebreaker game by the score of 11-9 to claim the point.
Denison (13-2) advanced to the tournament quarterfinals with the victory, while North Central dropped into the back draw with hopes of finishing in fifth.
MATCH 2 vs. Wisconsin-La Crosse
North Central (12-5) entered the semifinal of the back draw, having to face the No. 28 University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (14-2). The Cardinals gave the Eagles one heck of a battle, with La Crosse eventually emerging victorious by the slimmest of margins, 4-3.
Payne and Penados kicked off doubles play with a win, claiming their match 6-4. Ezerskis and Herlihy were unable to follow it up with a win of their own, dropping their contest 6-1.
The doubles point came down to the number three match, occupied by Drozd and McSweeny for North Central. The Eagles pulled through, however, claiming the doubles point with a 6-2 victory in the match.
The doubles point would prove to be vital, as the two programs split singles play 3-3.
Penados started singles play with a thrilling set victory. After losing the opening set 7-5, the senior fought back to win the second set 6-3 and to win the race to 10 in the tiebreaker game.
Ezerskis' contest followed the exact same script. She dropped the opening frame 7-5, but found a way to win the second set 6-3 and the tiebreaker in the third.
Herlihy claimed the third and final point on the match for the Cardinals with a straight sets victory in the fourth spot in the lineup, winning 6-4, 6-1.
Payne fell in her match 6-4, 6-1, while McSweeney lost her match 6-3, 6-1, and Drozd fell in hers 6-0, 6-1.
The Cardinals finish the Midwestern Invitational tomorrow at noon against No. 55 Luther College in a battle for seventh place at Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison.
