NATCHITOCHES—A competitive pre-conference season has prepared Northwestern State to host its anxiously-awaited Southland Conference women's tennis opener Friday at 1 p.m. against Sam Houston State at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.

The Lady Demons will also face Lamar (1-5) on Sunday at 11 a.m.

NSU (4-5) has defeated Sam Houston (5-2) in the last 10 seasons, usually by neck-and-neck margins. The Lady Demons have no doubt that the Bearkats will be tough opponents.

"Sam Houston is a very good team," head coach Patric DuBois said. "They're very well coached, and they're going to fight hard."

The Lady Demons prevailed 4-3 in a tight battle with SHSU last year that was ultimately decided by the final match.

"They are good opponents for us," junior Polina Mutel said. "Everyone fights until the end so it's a great experience playing with them."

On the tail of a match-free practice week, NSU is prepared for its next meeting with SHSU and to face them on the courts they know the best.

"We are all really excited about starting conference at home," Mutel said. "We've been waiting for this moment, and it's even better because we're playing at home, and we're going to see a lot the people who are supporting us."

At the Feb. 18 home opener against UT San Antonio, the Lady Demons pushed past the challenge of nervousness to earn a 5-2 win. 

"It's always good to be nervous in any match when you first start any athletic competition," DuBois said. "Good nerves from the beginning help you. You move forward during the match, things improve, and you play well."

Next weekend, NSU goes to play at McNeese and Nicholls. After that, the Lady Demons are home March 17 against Southeastern Louisiana.