HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Northwestern State took an early lead with a win in doubles, but Southern Miss rallied with singles wins at Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 6 to score a 4-3 victory Saturday afternoon.
 
Victories at Nos. 1 and 2 doubles put the Lady Demons (0-4) in position to snag their first victory of the season, but three-set wins by USM's Alex Kitchen at No. 2 and Rikeetha Pereira at No. 3 helped the Golden Eagles (5-0) stay unbeaten.
 
Natalya Krutova won twice Saturday, downing Carolin Drescher in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2 at No. 1 singles and teaming with Iryna Vardanian to beat Drescher and Kitchen in No. 1 doubles, 6-2.
 
Alzbeta Veverkova scored a straight-set victory against Tjasa Jerse, 7-5, 6-4, at No. 4 singles to pull NSU ahead 3-2 before the Golden Eagles rallied for the win.
 
"The girls fought hard, and we had good momentum after winning the doubles point," second-year coach Olga Bazhanova said. "We didn't take advantage when we should have on several courts in singles. Southern Miss played more consistent on bigger points."
 
The Lady Demons return to action Friday when they host Texas-San Antonio at noon at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.