NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State women's tennis team is set to host a pair of matches Wednesday afternoon against LSU-Alexandria at 12 p.m. and Grambling State at 2:30 p.m.

The Lady Demons (5-3) added the matches as a final round of competitive preparation before conference play begins Saturday.

Sophomore Iryna Vardanian is aiming to extend her team-best singles winning streak which is at six matches. The Kiev, Ukraine native has played every match in the No. 2 singles position.

Junior Polina Ivanova and freshman Emilija Dancetovic have found their groove as of late. The duo is 4-2 in the No. 2 doubles position and have won four straight matches.

LSU-A (2-1) last played on Feb. 18, soundly beating Loyola 9-0 in New Orleans.

This is the first matchup between NSU and LSU-A since 1978. The Lady Demons have won the only two meetings.

Contrasting NSU's mostly young roster, the Generals' roster features two seniors, Gisela Amor and Sara Andrade, and six juniors.

Grambling State has struggled in 2017 dropping all six of its opening matches of the season.

Northwestern State is 12-0 all-time against Grambling State, most recently beating the Tigers 6-0 a season ago.

The Lady Demons open their conference schedule with a road trip to Texas on Saturday. Northwestern State faces Sam Houston State (3-6) at 11 a.m. and Lamar (4-2) on Sunday at 12 p.m.