NACHITOCHES—Northwestern State junior Polina Mutel's tenacious performance in a Friday match, and her unbeaten weekend in the No. 1 singles and doubles positions, earned the Southland Conference Player of the Week award for women's tennis announced Tuesday. 

With the majority of the Southland Conference starting league play last weekend, Mutel's recognition is based on her efforts leading the Lady Demons over visiting conference foes Sam Houston State and Lamar. She posted straight-set singles wins and was part of two convincing doubles victories. 

Against SHSU on Friday, the Yaraslavl, Russia, native rallied from a 5-2 first-set deficit against Fabienne Gettwart to achieve a 7-5 triumph at No. 1. She then stretched for a 6-4 win in the second set to earn the match-clinching point in NSU's 4-3 victory. 

Mutel's singles performance came after a 6-0 doubles domination with Polina Ivanova in the No. 1 slot. 

NSU (6-5 overall, 2-0 in the Southland) defeated Lamar on Sunday 7-0. Mutel prevailed over Jasmin Buchta in the No. 1 position 6-2, 6-4 after partnering with Ivanova at No. 1 to defeat Buchta and Natalia Molina, 6-2. 

"This is a well-deserved honor this week for Polina," said head coach Patric Dubois. "She works very hard, and the fruits of her labor came through with solid wins against two very good singles and doubles opponents this week." 

Though Mutel and the rest of the Lady Demons will be on the road this weekend against McNeese and Nicholls, the next home match is March 17 at Jack Fisher Tennis Complex against Southeastern Louisiana.