MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State University women's tennis team took a major step toward another MIAA regular season championship by knocking off the No. 9-ranked Washburn Ichabods Saturday on the Grube Courts at the Rosewell Tennis Complex.
 
Northwest snapped Washburn's 12-match winning streak as the Bearcats improved to 12-7 overall and 7-1 in MIAA play. Washburn moved its season mark to 14-2 overall and 5-1 in MIAA action.
 
Northwest ran its win streak to six in a row with the 4-3 win over Washburn. Northwest has won three straight duals against Washburn and the Bearcats lead the all-time series with the Ichabods, 29-20.
 
Northwest seized control of the match early by capturing the doubles point in its eighth straight dual match. Northwest took a 1-0 lead by scoring wins at No. 2 doubles and No. 3 doubles.
 
The No. 2 pairing of Miru Nonaka and Alva Norberg posted a 6-4 victory, while the No. 3 duo of Polina Gontaryk and Carolina Oliveira gained a 6-1 triumph. It's the sixth straight doubles win for Nonaka and Norberg at No. 2 doubles. The duo is 8-1 this season and 6-1 in MIAA dual play.
 
Nonaka secured the second point in the dual for the Bearcats with a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 5 singles over Washburn's Jasel Bailey.
 
No. 61-ranked Marielena Muench toppled No. 18-ranked Renske Ubachs at No. 1 singles to give Northwest its third point of the dual. Muench recorded a 6-2, 7-5 victory for her second victory this season over a nationally-ranked opponent. Muench moved her mark to 10-8 at No. 1 singles this spring.
 
Freshman Camilla Franzin closed out the Bearcat win with a three-set battle at No. 6 singles. Franzin captured the first set against Washburn's Peyton Koper, 6-4. Koper answered back by taking the second set, 6-4. Franzin opened the third set by winning the first four games. Koper responded by gaining two straight wins to slice the Franzin lead to 4-2. Franzin turned momentum back to her side as she took a 5-2 advantage in the deciding set. Koper broke back to cut Franzin's lead to 5-3. However, Franzin broke Koper's serve for the fourth time in the final set to secure a 6-3 win and clinch the dual victory for the Bearcats.
 
Northwest will wrap up regular season dual action April 23 at Missouri Western. Following the match with the Griffons, the Bearcats will travel to the MIAA Tournament which will take place May 2-4 at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, Mo.