NATCHITOCHES – After sweeping the doubles competition and gaining an early singles advantage, Polina Konop came through with a big three-set victory for the Northwestern State tennis team to clinch the 4-3 win over Louisiana-Lafayette Saturday at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.

 

“It's always good to beat another in-state team, especially ULL, who is always very strong,” said head coach Patric DuBois. “The teams were evenly matched today and we were very happy to pull out the close 4-3 victory.”

 

NSU (3-1) was cruising past the Ragin Cajuns (2-6) with a 3-1 lead overall until the final three singles matches all simultaneously entered the third set. Konop pulled out the victory the Lady Demons needed with a 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2 win over Briggitt Marcovich at No. 3 singles.

 

“Konop knew we needed just one more win, and after dropping a very close second set, she played lights out in the third,” DuBois said.

 

At No. 1 singles, Olga Bazhanova breezed past Sophie van den Aarssen, 6-1, 3-0 (ret). Both Bazhanova and Konop improved their singles records to 4-0 on the year.

 

“Bazhanova is playing like a senior should. She's very offensive-minded and persistent,” DuBois said. “She's a smart player and always has a good read on her opponents to adapt her own game.”

 

The tandem also stayed undefeated in doubles with a comfortable 8-3 victory over Milou Israel and Marcovich at the No. 1 spot.

 

“Our doubles looked very solid today. Overall, the doubles scores actually make the matches look a bit easier than they really were. All of the games were very tight and we just happened to win the important points,” DuBois said.

 

Andrea Nedorostova put together a pair of impressive matches on the day as well. She paired up with Tatiana Larina at No. 2 doubles and won 8-3 over van den Aarssen and Erin Wilbert to improve to 3-1 on the season. Nedorostova cruised past Wilbert at No. 4 singles 6-1, 6-3.

 

“Andrea played very well today. She has great footwork and is really using that to lead her play right now,” DuBois said. “Andrea has looked very strong on both sides (forehand and backhand) and is playing aggressively, consistent and closing points at the net.”

 

Lauren Peters and Amy Williams came out ahead in a thrilling No. 3 doubles match, 9-8 (4) over Hannah Appleyard and Sandra Ahlqvist.

 

The Lady Demons will look to win their third straight match on Sunday when they host Texas-Pan American at 10:00 a.m. at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.

 

Singles Competition

1. Olga Bazhanova (NSU) def. Sophie van den Aarssen (ULL) 6-1, 3-0 (ret)

2. Milou Israel (ULL) def. Tatiana Larina (NSU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3

3. Polina Konop (NSU) def. Briggitt Marcovich (ULL) 6-3, 6-7 (5) 6-2

4. Andrea Nedorostova (NSU) def. Erin Wilbert (ULL) 6-1, 6-3

5. Hannah Appleyard (ULL) def. Amy Williams (NSU) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4

6. Sandra Ahlqvist (ULL) def. Olga Leyshyna (NSU) 7-6 (3) 6-3

 

Doubles Competition

1. Olga Bazhanova/Polina Konop (NSU) def. Milou Israel/Briggitt Marcovich (ULL) 8-3

2. Tatiana Larina/Andrea Nedorostova (NSU) def. Sophie van den Aarssen/Erin Wilbert (ULL) 8-3

3. Lauren Peters/Amy Williams (NSU) def. Hannah Appleyard/Sandra Ahlqvist (ULL) 9-8 (4)