NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State tennis team maintained its undefeated mark in Southland Conference play after defeating league newcomer New Orleans 5-2 Saturday afternoon at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.
 
With the win, the Lady Demons improved to 14-4 overall, 7-0 in the Southland, while the Privateers dropped to 6-7, 3-4.
 
"We took care of business today against a very scrappy UNO team," said head coach Patric DuBois. "All three of our doubles came out and played well, and we continued with some solid tennis in singles. We hope to carry this momentum into our match tomorrow against Southeastern."
 
NSU secured the doubles point quickly with 8-1 wins in both the first and second slots. Natalya Krutova and Kateryna Piatakova claimed second doubles while Polina Konop and Tatiana Larina took first. Aliona Ladutska and Daniela Simonova led Hafsa Laraibi and Yasmine Richard 5-3 in No. 3, and went unfinished as the first two positions made the decision.
 
In singles, UNO's Anna Segarra Rius retired after just one set at No. 2 to give Larina the win and another point for the Lady Demons. Krutova and Simonova secured the win and finished next at third and sixth singles, respectively. Krutova defeated Marta San 6-3, 6-1 as Simonova took down Amina Mrad with ease 6-1, 6-2.
 
Piatakova picked up the insurance point at fourth singles with a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
 
Ladutska gave UNO its first point as she fell 6-4, 6-1 at No. 5, followed by a tough battle in the first slot from Konop and Soledad Calderson. UNO took the No. 1 position in the tiebreaker with scores of 7-5, 2-6, 10-6.
 
Northwestern State takes on Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday at 11:00 at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex, and will hit the road next weekend with matches at Nicholls and McNeese State on Saturday and Sunday, both slated to start at 11:00 as well.
 
 
Singles
1. Soledad Calderon def. Polina Konop (NSU) 7-5, 2-6, 10-6
2. Tatiana Larina (NSU) def. Anna Segarra Rius 1-0
3. Natalya Krutova (NSU) def. Marta Sans 6-3, 6-1
4. Kateryna Piatakova (NSU) def. Yasmine Richard 6-4, 6-3
5. Hafsa Laraibi def. Aliona Ladutska (NSU) 6-4, 6-1
6. Daniela Simonova (NSU) def. Amina Mrad 6-1, 6-2
 
Doubles
1. Polina Konop/Tatiana Larina (NSU) def. Soledad Calderon/Marta Sans 8-1
2. Natalya Krutova/Kateryna Piatakova (NSU) def. Anna Segarra Rius/Amina Mrad 8-1
3. Aliona Ladutska/Daniela Simonova (NSU) def. Hafsa Laraibi/Yasmine Richard 5-3
 
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (2,3,6,4,5,1)
Schedule note: Sagarra (UNOW) injured in singles, retired after first point of set.