JONESBORO, Ark. – Freshman-laden teams off to impressive starts collide Friday when Northwestern State, with four freshmen in the singles lineup, tries to snap a six-match winning streak by Arkansas State in a non-conference women's tennis contest before the Lady Demons play a Southland Conference match Saturday at Central Arkansas.

Northwestern (6-2 overall, 2-1 in the Southland) had a five-game win streak snapped Monday in a conference contest, falling 4-3 at Texas State. Arkansas State, whose singles lineup is topped by a pair of freshmen, won a 4-3 decision last Saturday over Alabama-Birmingham.

ASU will bring a 7-2 record into the 11 a.m. match Friday.

Central Arkansas is 6-9 overall and 0-5 in the Southland going into the Lady Demons' visit at 9 Saturday morning.
NSU will count on senior captain Olga Bazhanova bouncing back from her first singles defeat of the season at Texas State. That match was also the first time this year the Lady Demons did not win the doubles point.

Bazhanova and freshman Polina Konop took their first loss at No. 1 doubles, and both have identical 7-1 singles records, Bazhanova at No. 1, Konop at No. 3.

The Lady Demons will play at home next Friday against Stephen F. Austin, opening a pivotal five-match Southland Conference homestand ending April 7.