LAKE CHARLES – Northwestern State got a fast start Sunday and used a a clutch finish by sophomore Barbora Kollarova to cap a 4-3 Southland Conference tennis win at McNeese State.

NSU rolled to the doubles point with dominating decisions atop the lineup, then jumped on top 3-0 with decisive straight-set singles victories by Natalya Krutova in the No. 1 slot and Iryna Vardanian at No. 2.

Then the Cowgirls, trying to stay in contention for a share of the conference title, mounted a rally. Thanks to Kollarova, it fell just short.

"I am proud of Barbora coming around after losing the first set to bring the final point to the team," said Lady Demons' coach Olga Bazhanova.

Kollarova recovered from dropping the first set in the No. 5 match 2-6, and squared things with a 6-1 second-set triumph. As matches at Nos. 3, 4 and 6 gradually went to McNeese and tied the match at 3-all, she outfought Charline Erlandsson to capture the third set 6-4 and hand NSU the victory.

"It was a very competitive match and McNeese is a strong team," said Bazhanova. "We were very focused in all of our matches and I am proud of the way the girls competed from the beginning to the end. It was a great team effort today."

The triumph was the eighth win in the last 11 outings, the third in four contests and the second in as many days on the road for NSU, now 9-10 overall and 5-4 in the Southland. The Lady Demons cap the regular season at home next Saturday and Sunday.

McNeese fell to 13-7 overall and 6-3 in the conference.

Vardanian and Polina Mutel opened the match with a 6-1 win at No. 2 doubles, and soon afterward Krutova and Polina Ivanova clinched the point with a 6-2 victory in the No. 1 match.

Krutova started singles play with a 6-2, 6-3 triumph at No. 1 over Giovanna Fioretti. Vardanian gave NSU a 3-0 lead by dispatching Julia Kral 7-5, 6-3 at No. 2.

Then the Cowgirls' comeback developed. Mutel fell 6-1, 7-6 (6) in the third position to Sarah Jurakova, Ivanova dropped a three-setter to Hannah Brett 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, and McNeese tied the match 3-all when Anastasija Trubich stayed undefeated as she posted a 7-5, 6-3 decision at No. 6 over Alzbeta Veverkova.

But thanks to Kollarova's victory, the Lady Demons rode home happy. It was their fourth 4-3 match in nine conference confrontations, and their second straight win in those nailbiters.

The regular season wraps up at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex with Saturday competition against Lamar and a Sunday contest against Sam Houston State, both starting at 11 a.m. next weekend.
 
Northwestern State 4, McNeese State 3
Nancy Hank Tennis Center, Lake Charles, LA

Singles competition
1. Natalya Krutova (NSU) def. Giovanna Fioretti 6-2, 6-3
2. Iryna Vardanian (NSU) def. Julia Kral 7-5, 6-3
3. Sarah Jurakova (MCN) def. Polina Mutel 6-1, 7-6
4. Hannah Brett (MCN) def. Polina Ivanova 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
5. Barbora Kollarova (NSU) def. Charoline Erlandsson  2-6, 6-1, 6-4
6. Anastasija Trubich (MCN) def. Alzbeta Veverkova 7-5, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Natalya Krutova/Polina Ivanova (NSU) def. Sarah Jurakova/Giovanna Fioretti 6-2
2. Polina Mutel/Iryna Vardanian (NSU) def. Hannah Brett/Anastasija Trubich 6-1
3. Charoline Erlandsson/Julia Kral (MCN) vs. Barbora Kollarova/Alzbeta Veverkova 3-4, unfinished

Match Notes:
Northwestern State 9-10, 5-4 SLC
McNeese State 13-7, 6-3 SLC
Order of Finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (1,2,3,4,6,5)