NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State women's tennis team grabbed five singles victories and two doubles wins to defeat future Southland Conference foe Abilene Christian 6-1 Friday afternoon at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.
 
The win improved the Lady Demons' record to 1-1 while the Wildcats also moved to 1-1 on the season after defeating Centenary 7-0 earlier in the day. ACU is ranked No. 3 nationally in its last year of NCAA Division II.
 
“This was a very good team win today,” said Lady Demon coach Patric DuBois. “Each match was a very tough battle, as expected, and we played well in all positions.”
 
The Lady Demons opened the day going 2-1 in doubles competition to win the doubles point. Tatiana Larina and Andrea Nedorostova won 8-4 over the Wildcats' fifth-ranked (Division II) tandem of Julia Mongin and Brittney Reed at No. 1 spot, while Polina Konop and Natalya Krutova took down Hannah Kelley and Micah Hermsdorf 8-6 at No. 2.
 
“The doubles point was very big and gave us momentum going into singles,” said DuBois. “After we lost at No. 3, our top two doubles teams stuck with their game plans and played well under pressure.”
 
In singles, Larina defeated ACU's Julia Mongin 6-2, 7-6 at the No. 1 position. Mongin ranks No. 5 in Division II singles.
 
Konop, the reigning SLC Player of the Week, also took home a singles win, overcoming Hermsdorf 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in a hard-fought battle at the No. 2 spot.
 
Krutova, a freshman, had a phenomenal day, taking down Brittney Reed, 6-2, 6-3 in the third position.
 
Nedorostova, the team's senior captain, won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 4 over Laura Mongin.
 
NSU sophomore Amy Williams also captured a tough three-set match, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 over ACU's Nada Marjanovic at No. 5.
 
“ACU is a very solid team with outstanding depth,” said DuBois. “They are very well coached and have a good chance at a national championship this year. They will definitely hit the ground running when they join the Southland Conference next year.”
 
The Lady Demons stay at home next weekend as they match up against Southern Mississippi on Saturday. The match is slated to begin at 11 a.m. at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.
 
Northwestern State 6, Abilene Christian 1
February 1 at Jack Fisher Tennis Complex, Natchitoches, La.
 
Singles competition
1. Tatiana Larina (NSU) def. Julia Mongin 6-2, 7-6
2. Polina Konop (NSU) def. Micah Hermsdorf 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
3. Natalya Krutova (NSU) def. Brittney Reed 6-2, 6-3
4. Andrea Nedorostova (NSU) def. Laura Mongin 6-2, 6-2
5. Amy Williams (NSU) def. Nada Marjanovic 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
6. Hannah Kelley (ACU) def. Vanja Bogetic 6-2, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. Larina/Nedorostova (NSU) def. Julia Mongin/Reed 8-4
2. Konop/Krutova (NSU) def. Kelley/Micah Hermsdorf 8-6
3. Kaysie Hermsdorf/Laura Mongin (ACU) def. Williams/Bogetic 8-3
 
Match Notes:
Abilene Christian 1-1
Northwestern State 1-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,4,3,1,5,2)
 
ACU is ranked No. 3 in the national Division II standings
ACU's Julia Mongin is No. 5 in singles in the national Division II standings
ACU's doubles team of J. Mongin and B. Reed is No. 5 in the D II standings