THIBODAUX, La. – The Northwestern State tennis team remained perfect in Southland Conference play with a complete team effort to take a 5-2 win over Nicholls State Saturday afternoon.
The Lady Demons improved to 15-4 overall, 8-0 in the Southland as the Colonels dropped to 11-7, 4-4.

"I am very proud of the whole team today," said head coach Patric DuBois. "We competed very well on every court against a very good Nicholls team on the road. After winning a tight doubles point, all six of our singles courts played according to plan."

Polina Konop and Tatiana Larina combined at first doubles to take the slot 8-4. Nicholls' Marie Aubert and Kateryna Nakonechna evened the score with an 8-6 win over Aliona Ladutska and Amy Williams, but Natalya Krutova and Kateryna Piatakova gave Northwestern State the early edge as they defeated Stephanie Barnett and Klara Skopac 8-3 at the No. 2 position.

Konop kept the momentum going for NSU as she claimed first singles with ease, taking down Aubert 6-2, 6-1. Piatakova, Krutova and Ladutska all followed with wins to put the Lady Demons up 5-0. Piatakova took down Skopac at No. 4, 6-1, 6-1 before Krutova won at third singles 6-4, 6-1. Ladutska gave Northwestern State its fifth and final point with a 6-4, 6-4 triumph at No. 5.

Daniela Simonova and Larina both battled in sixth and second singles, respectively, but dropped both decisions. Simonova fell 6-4, 7-6 (9), while Larina suffered in the tiebreaker with a 5-7, 7-5, 10-4 mark.

The Lady Demons remain on the road as they head to McNeese State for a dual Sunday morning beginning at 11:00. Northwestern State return home on Friday to host Lamar and Grambling at 11:00 and three o'clock, respectively, and Sam Houston State on Saturday, also at 11:00. All three matches will be held at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.

 
Singles
1. Polina Konop (NSU) def. Marie Aubert 6-2, 6-1
2. Stephanie Barnett def. Tatiana Larina (NSU) 5-7, 7-5, 10-4
3. Natalya Krutova (NSU) def. Kateryna Nakonechna 6-4, 6-1
4. Kateryna Piatakova (NSU) def. Klara Skopac 6-1, 6-1
5. Aliona Ladutska (NSU) def. Isla Brock 6-4, 6-4
6. Emma Kranendonk def. Daniela Simonova (NSU) 6-4, 7-6 (9)
Doubles
1. Polina Konop/Tatiana Larina (NSU) def. Emma Kranendonk/Isla Brock 8-4
2. Natalya Krutova/Kateryna Piatakova (NSU) def. Stephanie Barnett/Klara Skopac 8-6
3. Marie Aubert/Kateryna Nakonechna def. Aliona Ladutska/Amy Williams (NSU) 8-6
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,4,3,5,6,2)