NATCHITOCHES – Freshman Aliona Ladutska's victory at fifth singles allowed the Northwestern State tennis team to shut out Lamar 4-0 in a Southland Conference dual Friday afternoon at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.
 
"This was a great team effort today. We played well and had very good body language in all positions," said head coach Patric DuBois. "Lamar is always a well-coached team that fights hard in each position, so we had to play at this level to claim such a solid win."
 
Ladutska aided in both phases of NSU's (16-5 overall, 9-1 SLC) win starting in doubles as she teamed with Daniela Simonova to defeat Katya Lapayeva and Anna Spengler 8-3 in the third slot. Natalya Krutova and Kateryna Piatakova sealed the doubles point with an 8-5 victory at No. 2.
 
Polina Konop and Tatiana Larina led Lamar's (7-13, 4-7) Carolina Maso and Alicia Porte 5-4 at first doubles as the match was left unfinished.
 
Konop put NSU out to a 2-0 lead with a 6-0, 6-2 win at first singles, followed by Larina defeating Maso 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2. Ladutska picked up where she left off in doubles with a 6-2, 6-2 margin in the No. 5 slot.
 
Krutova was leading 6-4, 2-2 at No. 3, followed by Piatakova at 6-4, 3-1 at fourth singles and Simonova tied 2-6, 6-1 at No. 6 as Ladutska finished.
 
Northwestern State hosts Sam Houston State on Saturday at 11:00 at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex. Lone senior Polina Konop will be honored for her efforts and dedication to the program prior to the match.
 
 
Singles
1. Polina Konop (NSU) def. Dariya Dashutina 6-0, 6-2
2. Tatiana Larina (NSU) def. Carolina Masó 6-2, 6-3
3. Natalya Krutova (NSU) vs. Alicia Porte 6-4, 2-2, unfinished
4. Kateryna Piatakova (NSU) vs. Katya Lapayeva 6-4, 3-1, unfinished
5. Aliona Ladutska (NSU) def. Anna Spengler 6-2, 6-2
6. Daniela Simonova (NSU) vs. Hanna Elfving 2-6, 6-1, unfinished
 
Doubles
1. Polina Konop/Tatiana Larina (NSU) vs. Carolina Masó/Alicia Porte 5-4, unfinished
2. Natalya Krutova/Kateryna Piatakova (NSU) def. Dariya Dashutina/Hanna Elfving 8-5
3. Aliona Ladutska/Daniela Simonova (NSU) def. Katya Lapayeva/Anna Spengler 8-3
 
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (1,2,5)