NATCHITOCHES — Northwestern State extended its unbeaten Southland Conference streak to five matches with a 5-2 triumph against Southeastern on Saturday.

NSU (9-5, 5-0 SLC) overcame Southeastern (4-8, 1-3) by teamwork in doubles play and dominant singles competition.

Sophomore Judit Castillo captured the clinch in a straight-set triumph (6-0, 6-2) over Katya Cornejo as NSU took the first five points.

The Spaniard lost in doubles play, but she said it pushed her to ensure her singles results would be different.

"I decided that if I was going to play to win, the result would be different," said Castillo. "So I fought and played aggressively. My teammates did the same in the whole match fighting for every point until the end of every match."

Leading up to Castillo's clinch were two additional straight-set wins.

Senior Polina Ivanova dominated 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2 to finish first against Dany Raygadas for a 2-0 match lead.

Following Ivanova was a 6-0, 6-3 victory by junior Polina Mutel at No. 1 against Madina Vorotnikova that put NSU up 3-0.

Teamwork allowed the Lady Demons to capture the doubles point.

Finishing first, tandem Judit Castillo and Kateryna Avram missed 6-0 in doubles play at No. 2.

Polina Mutel and Polina Ivanova prevailed 6-2 at No. 1 position to set the framework for No. 3 slot, Emilija Dancetovic and Ela Iwaniuk to earn the overall doubles match point for NSU.

Battling until the last swing, it was a 7-5 Lady Demon triumph to start the score 1-0.

"Kate and I didn't find a way today," Castillo said. "But our teammates did. They did really well, and it was a really good setup."

Following Castillo's clinch was a competitive 6-3, 6-4 singles win by Ela Iwaniuk at No. 4 against Dalina Dahlmans to improve the NSU score to 5-0.

Southeastern posted its two match points in the final two singles contests of the day. Kateryna Avram fell to Ximena Yanez 6-1, 6-3.

Emilija Dancetovic started singles play strong at No. 3 with a 6-3 first-set win, but Ceci Mercier outlasted her in a 6-3 second set and 10-8 pro-set to break the tie.

The Lady Demons' noteworthy five-match winning streak is about more than just a week of uninterrupted practices by rain. They believe every victory to be a team effort.

"We are really good off the court and on the court," said Castillo. "We have the desire to do great this season."

"The team atmosphere of the six players that are playing, the two players that cannot play this year, the head coach, the athletic trainer, people that support us every day is what is making us better."

NSU reached a Southland Conference record of 6-5 last season and will have the opportunity to match that number of wins in Sunday's match against UNO at 11 a.m.

"I like our mentality to find a way using all of the tools we have," said head coach Patric DuBois. "Everyone associated with our program plays a big part in our goals. Having said this, we have to stay consistent in our work ethic and the process that we follow to make all of us better."

---

Northwestern State 5, Southeastern Louisiana 2

Jack Fisher Tennis Complex

Natchitoches, La.

Singles competition

1. Polina Mutel (NSU) def. Madina Vorotnikova 6-0, 6-3

2. Polina Ivanova (NSU) def. Dany Raygadas 6-0, 6-1

3. Ceci Mercier (SLU) def. Emilija Dancetovic 6-3, 3-6, 10-8

4. Ela Iwaniuk (NSU) def. Dalina Dahlmans 6-3, 6-4

5. Judit Castillo (NSU) def. Katya Cornejo 6-0, 6-2

6. Ximena Yanez (SLU) def. Kateryna Avram 6-1, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Polina Mutel/Polina Ivanova (NSU) def. Jiva de Veer/Fleur Holtkamp 6-2

2. Dalina Dahlmans/Ximena Yanez (SLU) def. Kateryna Avram/Judit Castillo 6-0

3. Emilija Dancetovic/Ela Iwaniuk (NSU) def. Katya Cornejo/Dany Raygadas 7-5

Match Notes:

Southeastern Louisiana 4-8, 1-3 SLC

Northwestern State 9-5, 5-0 SLC

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (2,1,5,4,6,3)

T-2:40 A-121