NEW ORLEANS – The No. 72 Northwestern State tennis team dropped a heavy 4-0 decision to No. 20 Auburn Saturday afternoon at Tulane's City Park.

The Lady Demons drop to 2-2 overall as Auburn improves to 4-1.

"I felt that we competed well today, but in the end Auburn just played better than us," said head coach Patric Dubois. "We need to come back tomorrow against a very good LSU team and compete at the high level that we know how to."

The Tigers ran away in doubles and singles play, claiming wins at second and third doubles, and No. 1, 2 and 6 singles. First doubles and No. 3, 4 and 5 singles went unfinished.

Natalya Krutova and Kateryna Piatakova battled at second doubles, but fell 8-5, followed by Aliona Ladutska and Amy Williams dropping 81- at No. 3 doubles to Jen Pfeifler and Jackie Kesler.

Tatiana Larina and Daniela Simonova put up 6-2, 6-0 performances at first and sixth singles, respectively, while Polina Konop fell at second singles 6-4, 6-0.

The Lady Demons head to No. 58 LSU for a 12:00 match with the Tigers. Northwestern State hosts Louisiana-Lafayette and Texas-San Antonio on Feb. 22 and 23, respectively, to open its home slate. Both matches are set to begin at 10:00 at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.