Northern Illinois’ Erica Heshelman got a controversial play in her favor to edge a victory past Hawai`i’s Polina Kravets to defeat the Rainbow Wahine, 4-3, at the UH Tennis Complex, Wednesday.

The call came during the deciding third set with Kravets leading, 5-4, when Heshelman’s return fell near the sideline. With the call in her favor, Heshelman received enough momentum to sneak past Kravets to win the set and push the Huskies past the Rainbows.

Head coach Carolyn Katayama commended Kravets for her valiant effort.

Hawai`i managed to jump to an early 1-0 lead by winning two of the three doubles matches. The duo of Lauren Fitzgerald and Stacy Hakikawa defeated the Huskies in the No. 1 position, 8-6, while Birgitte Brubakken and Kravets also won, 8-6, in the No. 2 position.

In singles competition, freshman Fitzgerald would close her match easily in two sets over Tanja Sukovic, 6-0, 6-1, in the No. 2 position. Brubakken didn’t have it so easy in the No. 3 position as she had to come from behind after falling in the first set, 1-6. The senior co-captain defeated Northern Illinois’ Karrie Syloran in the second and third set, 6-1, 6-4.

Although this marks a loss in the Rainbow Wahine record book, Katayama was proud of her team’s relentless effort.

The Rainbow Wahine look to get back on the winning track as they take the court Friday in a double-header against cross-town rival Hawai`i Pacific and Whitman College. Matches begin at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., respectively.



Northern Illinois def. Hawai`i, 4-3

Singles
Branka Savic def. Stacy Hakikawa (UH), 6-3, 6-0
Lauren Fitzgerald (UH) def. Tanjo Sukovic, 6-0, 6-1
Birgitte Brubakken (UH) def. Karrie Syloran, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4
Erica Heshelman def. Polina Kravets (UH), 3-6, 7-6, 7-5
Kris Tiedt def. Justine Boutet (UH), 6-3, 6-1
Molly Opel def. Kristy Oshita (UH), 6-4, 2-6, 6-2

Doubles
Fitzgerald/Hakikawa (UH) def. Savic/Heshelman, 8-6
Brubakken/Kravets (UH) def. Opel/Tiedt, 8-6
Sukovic/Tyioran def. Paige Mainor/Boutet (UH), 8-3