SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State swept through doubles play to gain an early lead and kept going Monday to edge visiting Northwestern State 4-3 in an early-season battle of Southland Conference women's tennis unbeatens.
 
The Bobcats rose to 4-0 in the Southland and 8-1 overall, posting their eighth straight match victory. The Lady Demons lost for the first time in six matches while dipping to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in league play.
 
Texas State's Jessica Kahts posted a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 1 over Olga Bazhanova, the first singles loss of the year for the Lady Demons' senior captain. Texas State upped its lead to 3-0 when Berenice Van Den Bergh dumped NSU freshman Linda Gamo by 6-0, 6-2. The match was clinched when Mariana Perez won the No. 5 match for Texas State 6-0, 6-2 over another NSU freshman, Amy Williams.

Northwestern won the remaining three singles matches. Freshman Polina Konop won 5-7, 6-4,10-8 in the third position. Freshman Tatiana Larina closed out a lengthy 6-2, 6-4 battle at No. 2, before Lady Demon junior Andrea Nedorostova took the final point in the match by rallying for a 6-4, 2-6, 10-5 victory in the No. 4 position.


Kahts/Melissa Hadad opened the match by posting an 8-2 victory over Bazhanova/Konop, the first loss for the NSU tandem in eight matches this spring. Texas State prevailed 8-4 at No. 2 doubles and 8-2 in the third position.
 
Northwestern is on the road this weekend, playing a non-conference match Friday at Arkansas State before visiting Central Arkansas on Saturday in an SLC match. The Lady Demons next play at home on March 23.
 
 
 
Texas State 4, Northwestern State 3
At Bobcat Courts, San Marcos, Texas
 
Singles competition
1. Jessica Kahts (TXSTW) def. Olga Bazhanova 6-1, 6-1
2. Tatiana Larina (NSU) d. Melissa Hadad 6-2, 6-4
3. P0olina Konop (NSU) def. Rachel Baldree 5-7, 6-4, 10-8
4. Andrea Nedorostova (NSU) def. Gabriela Rojas 6-4, 2-6, 10-5
5. Mariana Perez (TXSTW) d. Amy WIlliams 6-0, 6-2
6. B. Van Den Bergh (TXSTW) def. Linda Gamo 6-0, 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. Jessica Kahts/Melissa Hadad (TXSTW) def. Olga Bazhanova/Polina Konop 8-2
2. Gabriela Rojas/Francesca Bernes (TXSTW) def. Tatiana Larina/Andrea Nedorostova  8-4
3. Mariana Perez/Rachel Baldree (TXSTW) def. Linda Gamo/Amy Williams 8-2
 
Match Notes:
Northwestern State 6-2, 2-1
Texas State 8-1, 4-0
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2) Singles (1,6,5,3,2,4)