NATCHITOCHES – Senior captain Olga Bazhanova posted a pair of dominant victories in her final home match Saturday, leading Northwestern State to a 6-1 Southland Conference women's tennis victory over McNeese State at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.

Honored in a ceremony prior to doubles play, Bazhanova teamed with freshman Polina Konop to post an 8-2 win in the No. 1 doubles, then rolled 6-0, 6-2 in the No. 1 singles match.

The outcome, on the heels of a hard-fought 5-2 loss Friday to Lamar, lifted Northwestern to 12-4 overall and 6-3 in the Southland Conference. McNeese dipped to 3-13 and 1-7.

All five of the Lady Demons' singles wins came in straight sets.

“This is a great win against McNeese State. We came back from a real tough match, a physically draining loss, and winning 6-1 today shows the toughness of our girls,” said Lady Demons coach Patric DuBois. “They were able to stay in focus in their individual matches, take care of business, and one by one came off and cheered for their teammates who were still on.”

Junior Andrea Nedorostova and freshman Tatiana Larina clinched the doubles point with an 8-5 victory at No. 2, and freshmen Linda Gamo and Amy Williams rounded out a sweep with an 8-6 decision at No. 3.

Nedorostova registered a 6-2, 6-0 victory at No. 4 singles. Gamo won 6-0, 6-4 at No. 6, while Larina took a 6-0, 7-5 decision in the second position. At No. 3, Konop won a 6-3, 6-4 battle.

“It was a very good day for Northwestern tennis,” said DuBois. “We'll enjoy our Easter break tomorrow and get back to the drawing board Monday to prepare for Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls State down in south Louisiana next weekend.”

Those matches will wrap up the Southland's regular season slate.

Northwestern State 6, McNeese State 1
Apr 07, 2012 at Natchitoches, La.
Jack Fisher Tennis Complex
 
Singles competition
1. Olga Bazhanova (NSU) def. Tea Tvrtkovic (MCN) 6-0, 6-2
2. Tatiana Larina (NSU) def. Lara Pujol (MCN) 6-0, 7-5
3. Polina Konop (NSU) def. Anastasia Surkova (MCN) 6-3, 6-4
4. Andrea Nedorostova (NSU) def. Diana Pirciu (MCN) 6-2, 6-0
5. Marcella Castaldi (MCN) def. Amy Williams (NSU) 7-6 (5), 7-5
6. Linda Gamo (NSU) def. Andreea Nenu (MCN) 6-0, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Olga Bazhanova/Polina Konop (NSU) def. Tea Tvrtkovic/Anastasia Surkova (MCN) 8-2
2. Tatiana Larina/Andrea Nedorostova (NSU) def. Lara Pujol/Marcella Castaldi (MCN) 8-5
3. Linda Gamo/Amy Williams (NSU) def. Andreea Nenu/Diana Pirciu (MCN) 8-6
 
Records:
McNeese State 3-13 (1-7)
Northwestern State 12-4 (6-3)