NATCHITOCHES – Lamar won two tightly-contested doubles matches, then prevailed in a pair of three-set singles matches and a pro-set while posting a 5-2 Southland Conference women's tennis road win at Northwestern State on Friday.
 
The outcome tied the teams at 5-3 in the conference standings with three matches left. Northwestern, 11-4 overall, wraps up its home schedule Saturday morning at 11 in senior captain Olga Bazhanova's final outing at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.
 
The No. 1 doubles duo of Bazhanova and freshman Polina Konop suffered only their second loss in 15 matches in a 9-8 (7-2) decision at the hands of Carolina Salas and Alicia Porte of Lamar. That coupled with an 8-6 victory in the No. 3 doubles by Carolina Maso and Helene Czudek over NSU's Amy Williams and Linda Gamo to hand the Lady Cardinals the first point of the match.
 
Salas rallied in the No. 1 singles contest to top Bazhanova 3-6,6-3, 6-1. Natalia Mayagoitia of Lamar prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the No. 4 singles over Lady Demon junior Andrea Nedorostova, while Czudek won the No. 6 singles 6-7, 6-3, 12-10 over Gamo. Lamar's other singles win came at No. 5 as Alessandra Pennesi beat Williams 6-3, 6-2.
 
“I have to give a lot of credit to the Lamar women's tennis team. They really played very well in every position and pressured us in each match,” said Lady Demon coach Patric DuBois. “We fought hard. There were a lot of close matches and a lot of good tennis today.”
 
The Lady Demons' points came from singles wins at No. 2 by Tatiana Larina, 6-0, 6-2 over Porte, and from Konop, 3-6, 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 over Maso.
 
“I think if these teams play again, that score could go to either team in the win column,” said DuBois. “It was that competitive and hopefully we'll have the opportunity to play them again in the conference tournament.”
 
DuBois is eager to get his team back on the courts Saturday morning.
 
“We have to regroup and fight hard against McNeese State, and get a few more points in the win column to pull out the team victory.”
 
Lamar 5, Northwestern State 2
Jack Fisher Tennis Complex, Natchitoches
 
Singles competition
1. Carolina Salas (LU) def. Olga Bazhanova (NSU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
2. Tatiana Larina (NSU) def. Alicia Porte (LU) 6-0, 6-2
3. Polina Konop (NSU) def. Carolina Maso (LU) 3-6, 6-0, 6-0
4. Natalia Mayagoitia (LU) def. Andrea Nedorostova (NSU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
5. Alessandra Pennesi (LU) def. Amy Williams (NSU) 6-3, 6-2
6. Helene Czudek (LU) def. Linda Gamo (NSU) 6-7, 6-3, 12-10
 
Doubles competition
1. Carolina Salas/Alicia Porte (LU) def. Olga Bazhanova/Polina Konop (NSU) 9-8 (7-2)
2. Tatiana Larina/Andrea Nedorostova (NSU) def. Natalia Mayagoitia/Alessandra Pennesi (LU) 8-1
3. Carolina Maso/Helene Czudek (LU) def. Linda Gamo/Amy Williams (NSU) 8-6
 
Match Notes:
Lamar University 9-8, 5-3
Noirthwestern State 11-4, 5-3