NATCHITOCHES – Nationally ranked Stephen F. Austin strolled into Northwestern State Friday afternoon and earned every bit of its 6-1 Southland Conference victory over a gritty Lady Demon squad.

The loss was the first home defeat suffered by the Lady Demons on the season as they fall to 9-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play.   

The Ladyjacks (14-2, 5-0 SLC) secured the doubles point after winning the No. 2 and 3 matches by 8-5 and 8-4 scores but not before the NSU team of Olga Bazhanova and Polina Konop grinded out a 9-8 win over Malena Gordo and Tereza Bekerova in the No. 1 match.

“Even though the final score on paper of 6-1 looks like a pretty tough loss, it was actually our best team match of the season,” said head coach Patrick Dubois.  “Everyone on the court today played well as a whole.  We played solid doubles in all three positions and played solid singles in all six positions.  You have to hand it to Stephen F. Austin.  They played very well but they earned their victories in each spot that they won.”

Bazhanova lost for just the second time in singles competition this season when she dropped a 6-1, 3-6, 6-7 (3) nail-biter to SFA's Elena Kordolaimi.  NSU won the No. 2 singles behind Tatiana Larina's 6-1, 6-4 win over Tereza Bekerova.

“Those top two singles matches today, that was some pro level tennis,” said Dubois.  “This Stephen F. Austin team is one of the strongest teams I've witnessed in my 20 years in the Southland Conference, and they're very well coached.  That's a pretty tough combination to beat.”

The Ladyjacks got a tough win in the No. 3 slot as Alina Shazhko edged out NSU's Polina Konop 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-1 and another close match had SFA's Malena Gordo defeating Olga Leyshyna 6-4, 7-5 and Jithmie Jayawickrema beat Andrea Nedorostova 7-5, 6-3.

“I felt like we stood toe-to-toe in each individual match,” said Dubois.  “We hope to meet them again in the Southland Conference tournament but with a different outcome.”

"We had a great crowd out there today and they were treated to some great tennis action," said Dubois.

The Lady Demons return to action on Wednesday when they host Texas-Arlington at 1 p.m. at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.