NATCHITOCHES – Strong play in both phases of the match on Saturday allowed the Northwestern State tennis team to defeat Southland Conference rival Stephen F. Austin 4-3 at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.
 
The Lady Demons extended their winning streak to 11 and improved to 13-3 overall, 6-0 in the Southland, as the Ladyjacks dropped to 8-7, 4-2.
 
"This was a good, tough win for us today," said head coach Patric DuBois. "I was very happy with the way we competed in each spot."
 
The battle started early in doubles as Natalya Krutova and Kateryna Piatakova secured the No. 2 slot 8-6, followed SFA's Denise Maxl and Macarena Acosta defeating Aliona Ladutska and Daniela Simonova at the third position to even the score. Polina Konop and Tatiana Larina prevailed at No.1 to secure the doubles point with an 8-7 (6) win over Malena Gordo and Julia Lorca.
 
SFA evened the score at one with a win from Servise over Simonova at sixth singles 6-4, 6-4, but Ladutska pushed NSU ahead with a 6-3, 6-1 triumph at No. 5 singles.
 
Krutova gave the Lady Demons another point next with the 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory at third singles, and Larina secured the overall win with a 6-3, 6-4 claim of second singles.
 
Piatakova fell in the No. 4 slot 7-6 (3), 6-2 while Konop battled, but eventually lost in the tiebreaker at first singles 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
 
Northwestern State travels to in-state rival Louisiana Tech on Sunday for a 1:00 start, and will host conference newcomer New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, at 11:00 on both days.
 
Northwestern State 4, Stephen F. Austin 3
 
Singles
1. Malena Gordo def. Polina Konop (NSU) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
2. Tatiana Larina (NSU) def. Denise Maxl 6-3, 6-4
3. Natalya Krutova (NSU) def. Julia Lorca 7-6 (3-0), 6-2
4. Valeria Terentyeva def. Kateryna Piatakova (NSU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Aliona Ladutska (NSU) def. Andrea Ternera 6-3, 6-1
6. Laura Servise def. Daniela Simonova (NSU) 6-4, 6-4
 
Doubles
 1. Polina Konop/Tatiana Larina (NSU) def. Malena Gordo/Julia Lorca 8-7 (6-0)
2. Natalya Krutova/Kateryna Piatakova (NSU) def. Laura Servise/Rachel Pierce 8-6
3. Denise Maxl/Macarena Acosta def. Aliona Ladutska/Daniela Simonova (NSU) 8-5
 
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (6,5,3,4,2,1)