NATCHITOCHES – With one final Southland Conference match remaining, the Northwestern State tennis team returns home to the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex for a key match against Central Arkansas on Friday at 11 a.m.
 
The Lady Demons (13-7, 6-4) currently sit tied for fourth with McNeese State in the standings of Southland postseason-eligible teams. Abilene Christian (14-5, 6-2), who NSU previously beat, is tied for second but is ineligible for postseason play during Division I transition.
 
"What's most important at this point is to just keep working on our process and staying consistent," head coach Olga Bazhanova said.
 
UCA (17-5, 6-2) is second in the conference standings with three matches remaining left on its schedule. The Sugar Bears will travel to Texas on Saturday for a match against Stephen F. Austin (8-10, 4-5), and again on Thursday to face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (15-2, 8-1).
 
"They have been having a good year, we just have to play well," Bazhanova said. "We lost to them last year, but we're looking forward to getting them at home this year
 
A weekend ago, the Lady Demons squared off against first place AMCC on Saturday and Incarnate Word Sunday. NSU split the weekend, losing to the Islanders before sweeping UIW.
 
"I'm happy about the girls bouncing back Sunday," Bazhanova said. "Besides playing well, they showed strong leadership on the court and didn't take things for granted."

A constant for the Lady Demons has been success in the No. 2 singles position. Using a platoon of three players, junior Polina Ivanova and sophomores Iryna Vardanian and Polina Mutel, NSU holds a 13-5 record on court two.
 
Freshman Judit Castillo aims to continue being a key player for NSU in the No. 5 singles position. The Spain native has clinched a match in two-straight weekends and holds an 8-2 singles record against Southland foes.
 
Castillo has also been a member of a recently successful doubles pairing for the Lady Demons. Bazhanova switched doubles pairings midway through the conference schedule, matching up Castillo and Vardanian.
 
The change of pace worked as Castillo and Vardanian are 4-1 together, playing all matches in the No. 2 doubles position.
 
"The girls are always excited and ready to play," Bazhanova said. "We have to come out and play to win. I want them to have no regrets and just to put it all on the court."
 
Saturday's match will be the final regular season matchup for the year. The first students to the match will receive free t-shirts as they cheer on the team.

The Lady Demons will take a weekend off to recover and prepare for the Southland Conference Tournament, beginning Friday, April 28 in Beaumont, Texas. 
 
Follow updates for the remainder of the season on Twitter @NSUdemonsWTN.