ABILENE, Texas – For the second match in a row, junior Tatiana Larina's No. 2 singles win propelled the Northwestern State tennis team to victory, this time in a 4-3 nail-biter over Southland Conference newcomer Abilene Christian on Friday at the Eagar Tennis Pavilion.

The win was the Lady Demons' (12-3 overall, 5-0 SLC) 10^th in a row, continuing on their path with the second-longest win-streak in program history. It snapped ACU's (11-3, 3-1) string of seven straight wins.

"We played well today against a tough, well-coached Abilene Christian team," said head coach Patric DuBois. "The doubles point was obviously big, and I am pleased with the way we have been improving with each match, and in our process and execution."

Kateryna Piatakova and Natalya Krutova combined at second doubles, as well as Polina Konop and Larina at No. 1 to take 8-4 wins, securing the doubles point.

Aliona Ladutska and Daniela Simonova battled, but were edged 8-7 (9-7) at the No. 3 position.

Piatakova picked up the first win in singles at the No. 5 slot, defeating Nada Marjonovic with ease 6-0, 6-1. Ladutksa and Konop finished next, both with losses of 6-1, 6-3 and 6-3, 6-4, respectively, to allow ACU to tie the match at two-all.

Krutova quickly put the Lady Demons back on top with a 6-2, 6-3 triumph at No. 4 singles, followed by Larina's win over Brittney Reed at 6-4, 6-4.

Daniela Simonova came up just short in the sixth slot, dropping 7-6, 6-4 to Emily Conrad.

"Katya, Natalya and Tatiana played big in singles," said DuBois. "The others had a tough day, but the weekend break will be good, and we will all be ready for SFA next weekend."

Northwestern State will take the remainder of the weekend off before hosting Stephen F. Austin March 29 at 11:00 at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.



Singles
1. Micah Hermsdorf def. Polina Konop (NSU) 6-3, 6-4
2. Tatiana Larina (NSU) def. Brittney Reed 6-4, 6-4
3. Natalya Krutova (NSU) def. Kaysie Hermsdorf 6-2, 6-3
4. Erin Walker def. Aliona Ladutska (NSU) 6-1, 6-3
5. Kateryna Piatakova (NSU) def. Nada Marjanovic 6-0, 6-1
6. Emily Conrad def. Daniela Simonova (NSU) 7-6, 6-4

Doubles
1. Polina Konop/Tatiana Larina (NSU) def. Kaysie Hermsdorf/Micah Hermsdorf 8-4
2. Kateryna Piatakova/Natalya Krutova (NSU) def. Erin Walker/Brittney Reed 8-4
3. Nada Marjanovic/Emily Conrad def. Aliona Ladutska/Daniela Simonova (NSU) 8-7 (9-7)
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (5,4,1,3,2,6)