NATCHITOCHES— The Northwestern State Lady Demon tennis team defeated UT San Antonio 5-2 in Sunday's home debut with an early doubles sweep and three straight-set singles victories, led by Judit Castillo's dominant 6-1, 6-1 triumph in the sixth position.

Emilija Dancetovic (6-3, 6-1 at No.3) and Kateryna Avram (6-2, 6-4 in the fifth position) soon followed Castillo's win, giving NSU (2-4) its second overall match victory in three tries by opening an insurmountable 4-0 advantage over UTSA (3-5).

"Judit Castillo took control and played a very fine match," head tennis coach Patric DuBois said. "I think all the girls were excited, probably more than a little nervous, to be finally playing at home in front of our supporters."

NSU will compete on its home courts again Monday at 11 a.m. against Texas State (0-3 before a Sunday visit to Louisiana Tech), hopeful that the home-opener butterflies have gone.

"I was nervous," said No. 2 singles player Polina Ivanova, who won 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) over Laura Cabrera. "It's my senior year and my last home opener in front of the fans.

"Texas State competes well, and it will be tough. But we will be better than today, and we know what to do."

Ivanova rallied in both sets to prevail, giving NSU its last point of the match.

"We knew the process, and I think we did a good job," she said.

Once NSU clinched the match, Polina Mutel and Ela Iwaniuk were also engaged in extremely competitive battles, but lost super tiebreakers after splitting sets.

Mutel fell to Denisa Ibrahimovic 6-4, 1-6, 10-4 in the No. 1 position. Iwaniuk (No.4) and Charleen Tiwari tangled in the last match decided, when Tiwari rallied for a 3-6, 7-5, 10-7 triumph.

The Lady Demons quickly overcame UTSA in doubles play. Mutel and Ivanova prevailed 6-2 in the No. 1 match before Castillo/Iwaniuk clinched the doubles point 6-3 in the third position. Moments later, Avram/Dancetovic posted another 6-3 victory at No. 2.

 "We weren't as sharp or as consistent as we need to be, but we were able to fight hard and pick up a good victory today," said DuBois.

After Monday's match, NSU heads to Houston for a pair of matches this weekend against Connecticut and Houston. Southland Conference play begins March 2 with the team's next home match as Sam Houston State visits.
 
Northwestern State 5, UTSA 2

Jack Fisher Tennis Complex, Natchitoches, LA
 
Singles Competition
1. Denisa Ibrahimovic (UTSA) def. Polina Mutel 6-4, 1-6, 10-4
2. Polina Ivanova (NSU) def. Laura Cabrera 6-4, 7-6 (8-6)
3. Emilija Dancetovic (NSU) def. Ivana Ilic 6-3, 6-1
4. Charleen Tiwari (UTSA) def. Ela Iwaniuk 3-6, 7-5, 10-7
5. Kateryna Avram (NSU) def. Kylee Kato 6-2, 6-4
6. Judit Castillo (NSU) def. Sonia Madronal 6-1, 6-1
 
Doubles Competition
1. Ivanova/ Mutel (NSU) def. Ibrahimovic/ Kato 6-2
2. Avram/ Dancetovic (NSU) def. Cabrera/ Madronal 6-3
3. Castillo/ Iwaniuk (NSU) def. Ilic/Tiwari 6-3
 
Match Notes:
UTSA 3-5
Northwestern State 2-4
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (6,3,5,1,2,4)
T-2:51 A-120