HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The No. 67 Northwestern State tennis team posted singles win from Natalya Krutova, Kateryna Piatakova and Aliona Ladutska to secure a 4-3 victory over Southern Mississippi Saturday afternoon at the USM Tennis Courts.
 
The Lady Demons improve to 2-0 as the Golden Eagles fall to 2-3.
 
"This was a very good match with very good tennis all across the board, said head coach Patric Dubois. " The outcome could have gone either way, and we were fortunate to come away with a victory on the road."
 
Ladutska combined with Amy Williams for the 6-1 win at No. 3 doubles over Lisa Noderer and Kathrin Waidner, followed by Krutova and Piatakova at second doubles to defeat Karina Gurgenyan and Mahitha Dadireddy 6-2.
 
Senior Polina Konop and junior Tatiana Larina were unable to finish at No. 1 doubles, leaving the slate at 5-3 in favor of the Lady Demons.
 
With the doubles point in hand, Ladutska secured No. 5 singles with a 6-3, 7-5 showing over Waidner. Piatakova was next, claiming the No. 3 slot with 6-4, 6-4 scores over Noderer, followed by Krutova taking down Gurgenyan 6-1, 6-3 at fourth singles.
 
Konop battled at No. 2, but fell to Carolin Drescher 3-6, 6-4, 12-10. Larina dropped a 6-4, 6-4 decision at No. 1 to Dadireddy as Daniela Simonova noted a 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 defeat at No. 6 to Alex Kitchen.
 
"We had a strong start and played very well in all three doubles matches," said DuBois. "I was very proud of the way the girls came out and followed their game plans."
 
Northwestern State heads to Alabama-Birmingham for an eleven o'clock match on Sunday and will open its home slate against Louisiana-Lafayette and Texas-San Antonio on Feb. 22 and 23, respectively. Both matches are set to begin at 10:00 at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.
 
Singles

1. Mahitha Dadireddy def. Tatiana Larina (NWLA) 6-4, 6-4
2. Carolin Drescher def. Polina Konop (NWLA) 3-6, 6-4, 12-10
3. Kateryna Piatakova (NWLA) def. Lisa Noderer 6-4, 6-4
4. Natalya Krutova (NWLA) def. Karina Gurgenyan 6-1, 6-3
5. Aliona Ladutska (NWLA) def. Kathrin Waidner 6-3, 7-5
6. Alex Kitchen def. Daniela Simonova (NWLA) 7-6, (7-2), 6-4

 
Doubles

1. Carolin Drescher/Alex Kitchen vs. Polina Konop/Tatiana Larina (NWLA) 3-5. Unfinished
2. Natalya Krutova/Kateryna Piatakova (NWLA) def. Karina Gurgenyan/Mahitha Dadireddy (6-2
3. Aliona Ladutska/Amy Williams (NWLA) def. Lisa Noderer/Kathrin Waidner 6-1