HAMMOND -  The Northwestern State women's tennis team got back to its winning ways Saturday, controlling Southeastern Louisiana in a quick 6-1 match.
 
Junior Polina Ivanova clinched the match for the Lady Demons (10-4, 3-1 Southland) for the second time this season. Ivanova took out the Lions' (3-7, 0-4) top player, Dany Raygadas, in straight sets 6-3, 7-5. The Lady Demons' most veteran returner is now 3-1 in conference competition this season.
 
Clinching the first team point for NSU was freshmen duo Vladislava Litvinova and Kateryna Avram with a 6-2 victory in the No. 3 doubles position.
 
Playing together for the first time this season, sophomore Iryna Vardanian and freshman Judit Castillo dominated their No. 2 doubles opponents Natalie Duran and Madina Vorotnikova 6-0.
 
"We played smart and aggressive in doubles and had the momentum going into singles,"  head coach Olga Bazhanova said.
 
Three Lady Demons now have eight wins in singles so far in 2017.  Castillo, Vardanian and Ivanova are 8-1, 8-3 and 8-6 in dual play, respectively.
 
Vardanian kicked her birthday weekend off with a strong performance in singles as well, cruising past Fleur Holtkamp 6-2, 6-0 in singles No. 2.
 
Castillo pushed her team-best winning percentage a tick higher today with a 6-4, 6-2 win in the No. 5 position.
 
"It was fun to watch the girls come out with great body language and team intensity today," Bazhanova said.

Northwestern State will take an hour drive on Sunday to face New Orleans in an 11 a.m. first serve.
 

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Northwestern State 6, Southeastern Louisiana 1
 
Singles competition
 
1. Polina Ivanova (NWST) def. Dany Raygadas (SLU) 6-3, 7-5
2. Iryna Vardanian (NWST) def. Fleur Holtkamp (SLU) 6-2, 6-0
3. Madina Vorotnikova (SLU) def. Emilija Dancetovic (NWST) 5-7, 1-0, retired
4. Vladislava Litvinova (NWST) def. Lucia Bustamante (SLU) 6-4, 6-3
5. Judit Castillo (NWST) def. Natalie Duran (SLU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Kateryna Avram (NWST) def. Yasmine Taylor (SLU) 6-2, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
 
1. Lucia Bustamante/Dany Raygadas (SLU) vs. Emilija Dancetovic/Polina Ivanova (NWST) 5-5, unfinished
2. Judit Castillo/Iryna Vardanian (NWST) def. Natalie Duran/Madina Vorotnikova (SLU) 6-0
3. Kateryna Avram/Vladislava Litvinova (NWST) def. Fleur Holtkamp/Yasmine Taylor (SLU) 6-2
 
Match Notes:
 
Northwestern State (10-4, 3-1 SLC)
Southeastern Louisiana (3-7, 0-4 SLC)