NATCHITOCHES – After posting 14 wins including a victory over Mississippi State, the Northwestern State Lady Demons earned a regional top 10 ranking from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association in the final 2011-12 Southern Regional Rankings.
 
NSU (14-5) ranked No. 8, behind Alabama, Ole Miss, LSU, Tulane, Auburn, Mississippi State and Samford, and ahead of Louisiana-Monroe and South Alabama.
 
The squad achieved this ranking despite having a lineup including four newcomers in the six singles positions, three freshmen and a sophomore transfer. Senior captain Olga Bazhanova and junior standout Andrea Nedorostova anchored the roster for coach Patric DuBois.
 
“We are very proud to achieve the No. 8 ranking in the very tough Southern Region,” said DuBois. “We look forward to continually improve as we return five of our six top players.”
 
Heading the list of young returners is 2012 Southland Conference and All-Louisiana Freshman of the Year Tatiana Larina and first-team All-Southland and All-Louisiana singles selection Polina Konop. Nedorostova, next year's team captain, and Bazhanova also earned All-Louisiana honors.
 
Bazhanova finished her career with 48 singles wins (48-31), 11th in school history, and a 64-20 doubles mark, third all-time at NSU in doubles victories. She won the decisive singles match in the 2010 Southland Tournament that sent NSU to the NCAA Tournament.