TOLEDO, Ohio – Senior Julia Kuszynski clinched match point and the Mid-American Conference East Division title for the Toledo women's tennis team in a 6-1 win over Northern Illinois Friday afternoon. The win also secured the Rockets' spot in the 2024 Mid-American Conference Tournament on April 26-27.

Toledo (14-4, 7-0 MAC) has now won 18 straight regular-season conference matches since April 2022 and 14 consecutive home matches dating back to last January.

"I'm really proud of the way this team has handled the regular season thus far," Head Coach Tracy Mauntler said. "They have been incredibly mature and business-like for every single match. I think NIU played well today, but we just had answers and our depth continues to be a huge factor in our success." 

Senior Shalini Tallamraju took the No. 3 court in two sets to open singles play and put UT ahead 2-0 in the match. Senior Cassie Alcala won her opening set 6-4 and swept Diana Lukyanova 6-0 in the second set to set up Kuszynski's clincher at the No. 6 court. Sophomore Audrey Moutama was taken to a third-set tiebreaker after shutting out Jenna Horne 6-0 in the first set, falling 6-2 in the second, and taking the match 6-2 for her eighth-straight win this year. Sophomore Sanjana Tallamraju returned to the singles lineup and won the No. 4 flight in two sets.

Senior Sloane Teske took Erika Dimitriev to a third set, but could not put the match away, and NIU would record its only point of the afternoon.

The Rockets claimed the doubles team point from victories at the top and bottom courts. Toledo has secured the doubles point in the last 11 matches since playing Duquesne earlier this season on Feb. 23.

Toledo will face Eastern Michigan (9-10, 3-4 MAC) at the Chippewa Club in Ypsilanti, Mich. on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

Toledo 6, Northern Illinois 1
Singles
1. Cassie Alcala (TOL) def. Diana Lukyanova (NIU) 6-4, 6-0
2. Erika Dimitriev (NIU)def. Sloane Teske (TOL) 6-1, 1-6, 6-3
3. Shalini Tallamraju (TOL) def. Nataly Ninova (NIU) 6-1, 6-3
4. Sanjana Tallamraju (TOL) def. Isabella Righi (NIU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Audrey Moutama (TOL) def. Jenna Horne (NIU) 6-0, 2-6, 6-2
6. Julia Kuszynski (TOL) def. Angelica Ross (NIU) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles
1. Cassie Alcala/ Julia Kuszynski (TOL) def. Diana Lukyanova/ Isabella Righi (NIU) 6-1
2. Erika Dimitriev/ Isabella Righi (NIU) def. Sloane Teske/ Sanjana Tallamraju (TOL) 6-3
3. Gaby Rondon/ Audrey Moutama (TOL) def. Jenna Horne/ Anastasia Rakita (NIU) 6-3