NATCHITOCHES – A tight win in the tiebreaker at second singles from Tatiana Larina allowed the Northwestern State tennis team to defeat Southland Conference foe Texas A&M – Corpus Christi 5-2 Sunday afternoon at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.

The Lady Demons improved to 11-3 overall, 4-0 in the Southland with the win, which is their ninth victory in a row, marking the longest win streak since the 2010 season when NSU won 19 straight. The Islanders dropped to 6-4, 0-1 with the loss.

"This was a great college tennis match to win today," said head coach Patric DuBois. "The ladies left everything on the court, and after four and a half hours, we were able to clinch with Tatiana's singles match. Polina (Konop) played lights-out in her last two sets to give us a third point, and did a great job owning the baseline today."

NSU secured the doubles point on an 8-2 win by Natalya Krutova and Kateryna Piatakova at the No. 2 slot. Polina Konop and Larina defeated Stefania Nicolae and Kerry Galhos, also 8-2, at first doubles before Aliona Ladutska and Daniela Simonova dropped the third position 8-4.

Krutova notched NSU's second point of the day with ease, claiming third singles 6-1, 6-0. The Islanders evened the score next with wins at fifth and sixth singles over Piatakova and Simonova, respectively.

Konop battled at No. 1 singles, and broke the tiebreaker with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over Nicolae, followed by the 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 win from Larina. Ladutska gave the Lady Demons the insurance win at fourth singles with a 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2) triumph.

"Tatiana and Aliona played so smart in very windy conditions, and both ended almost simultaneously for that clinching point," said DuBios. "Natalya is playing some of her best tennis in her young collegiate career, as she set the stage by getting off the court in singles in quick fashion."

The Lady Demons head to league newcomer Abilene Christian for a make-up match on Friday, slated to begin at 10:30, and will take the remainder of the weekend off before hosting Stephen F. Austin March 29 at 11:00.


Singles
1. Polina Konop (NSU) def. Stefania Nicolae 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
2. Tatiana Larina (NSU) def. Maider Martin 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
3. Natalya Krutova (NSU) def. Celia Rodriguez 6-1, 6-0
4. Aliona Ladutska (NSU) def. Judit Vives 7-6 (4-0), 7-6 (2-0)
5. Sandra Burges def. Kateryna Piatakova (NSU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
6. Kerry Galhos def. Daniela Simonova (NSU) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles
1. Polina Konop/Tatiana Larina (NSU) def. Stefania Nicolae/Kerry Galhos 8-2
2. Natalya Krutova/Kateryna Piatakova (NSU) def. Sandra Burges/Judit Vives 8-2
3. Maider Martin/Celia Rodriguez def. Aliona Ladutska/Daniela Simonova (NSU) 8-4

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (3,6,5,1,2,4)