NATCHITOCHES – After dropping the doubles point, the Northwestern State tennis team battled back to defeat Louisiana-Lafayette 6-1 Saturday afternoon in non-conference action at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.

The Lady Demons even their record at 3-3 as the Ragin' Cajuns fall to 3-6.

"I felt we started out flat in doubles, so a lot of credit goes to Louisiana-Lafayette for outplaying us to start," said head coach Patric Dubois. "I was very proud of the way we came back in singles after the start. We were very focused and played well in all of our singles spots."

The Ragin' Cajuns claimed the doubles point, picking up wins at No. 1 over Polina Konop and Tatiana Larina 8-2, and an 8-4 defeat of Amy Williams and Aliona Ladutska at third doubles. Kateryna Piatakova and Natalya Krutova claimed the No. 2 spot 8-3.

Northwestern State sturck back by taking all six singles slots, first with Krutova at third singles taking the set from Alexandra Way 6-2, 6-0, followed by Petya Simeonova capturing her first win of the season over Julie Cremers 6-0, 6-1 at sixth singles.

Ladutska toppled over Juliette Clement, 6-2, 6-1 at fifth singles,before Piatakova claimed the No. 4 slot over Melissa Burckhartt 6-3, 6-2.

Konop sealed the win at first singles as she defeated Nicole Breaux 6-2, 6-2.

Larina battled at second singles, but pulled off the insurance point over Nelo Phiri 6-1, 6-7, 10-4.

The Lady Demons take on Texas-San Antonio at 10:00 and Prairie View A&M at 2:00, respectively, on Sunday.
 



Doubles
1. Nelo Phiri/Nicole Breaux def. Polina Konop/Tatiana Larina (NWLA) 8-2.
2. Natalya Krutova/Kateryna Piatakova (NWLA) def. Melissa Burckhartt/Juliett Clement 8-3.
3. Julie Cremers/Alexandra Way (ULL) def. Amy Williams/Aliona Ladutska (NWLA), 8-4.
 
Singles.
1. Polina Konop (NWLA) def. Nicole Breaux 6-2, 6-2.
2. Tatiana Larina (NWLA) def. Nelo Phiri 6-1, 6-7, 10-4
3.  Natalya Krutova (NWLA) def. Alexandra Way 6-2, 6-0
4. Kateryna Piatakova (NWLA) def. Melissa Burckhartt 6-3, 6-2
5. Aliona Ladutska (NWLA) def. Juliette Clement 6-2, 6-1
6. Petya Simeonova (NWLA) def. Julie Cremers 6-0, 6-1