NATCHITOCHES— Thousands of miles away from her Moscow, Russia, home, senior Polina Ivanova has found a "second family" for which to play. 

Ivanova is close to finishing her five-year stay in Natchitoches as Northwestern State (10-5, 6-0 Southland Conference) hosts Stephen F. Austin (1-12, 1-5) on Saturday, the Lady Demons first of three remaining home matches. 

Filled with warmth at every home match, Ivanova will savor her remaining chances to play at Jack Fisher Complex. 

"The people here are just amazing," Ivanova said. "I don't know if it's about being from the United States or just Natchitoches, but everyone is so helpful, and everyone cares about each other. 

"There are all these great people supporting me. I'm so happy to be here. It's just unbelievable." 

With a win Saturday, NSU would match its best start in conference play since 2014, the last time the Lady Demons won an SLC regular season championship. 

Ivanova, who was 16 when she came to NSU, watched that team as a redshirt before helping the Lady Demons to a league tournament title in 2015 with a 13-6 singles record in the bottom half of the lineup. 

As the only Lady Demon to play on NSU's last championship team, Ivanova would love to finish her career with another crown and NCAA Tournament appearance. 

"Polina came in as a freshman, and she actually had to grow up quick that year," said NSU coach Patric DuBois. "We won a championship her first season, and she played a big part in it as a (redshirt) freshman, helping us clinch in the Southland Conference Tournament in a very well-played No. 4 singles match, and she's continued to develop since then." 

Ivanova and No. 1 doubles partner Polina Mutel lead NSU with a 10-2 mark while she holds an 8-6 overall record in singles. She's been at her best in the No. 2 slot, posting an 8-4 mark with a 5-1 record in SLC play. 

"She's improved her doubles game tremendously, and you can see she really enjoys the process and how she's doing it," DuBois said. "Then on the singles side, she's having a great year as well, and we hope for all of those great things to continue." 

The senior has found her niche at the top of the lineup after posting an 8-7 record in the No. 1 slot as a junior. She dominated in the lower parts of the lineup early in her career, compiling a 29-9 mark in the bottom three slots. 

"Of course I have improved my game a lot. I think I've started playing much smarter on the court and using more variety in my shots," Ivanova said. "Whenever I came, I would play just one style of the game, but I think I became mentally tougher on the court as well." 

Leading the Lady Demons as team captain and this year's only senior, Ivanova has grown into the role from a toddler hoping to be a princess. 

Her childhood included countless trips to the tennis courts, and her mother bringing her had clear intentions. 

"It's always been my mom's dream for me," Ivanova said. "She always wanted to become a tennis player, but she realized it too late, so she transferred her dream to me. I started playing tennis when I was four years old." 

Ivanova evolved to a journey of multiple International Tennis Federation (ITF) events at the junior grade 3 level in areas including Russia, Belarus and Azerbaijan. Ranking up to No. 1167 in the ITF Junior ranking, she garnered several wins over well-ranked juniors in Russia. 

Deciding to venture to the United States for college, Ivanova chose Northwestern State after DuBois knew she was right for the Lady Demons. 

Another unlikely contributor encouraged her to choose NSU. 

"I actually practiced with a girl from Southeastern, and she told me that this team is special," Ivanova said. "She said she's never seen a team that's so bonded and friendly. So I signed with (DuBois) and came here. 

"I never expected a group of girls to be so friendly and helpful to each other. It's been like this for the past four years." 

Stepping into the role of team captain has been the perfect way to notch Ivanova's path as a Lady Demon. 

"All of her teammates look up to her on and off the court," DuBois said. "She's a very caring person and very helpful to anybody and everybody on this team. She's a very good player who has improved each year. 

Though her time with the Lady Demons might be coming to a close, it won't conclude her involvement with tennis. 

"I will be coaching a little bit after graduation," Ivanova said. "I also hope to get into grad school, get a master's in business administration and then work in that field."