NATCHITOCHES—After starting the Southland Conference women's tennis season by sweeping a pair of home matches, Northwestern State tennis hits the road to play Friday at McNeese and Sunday at Nicholls State. 

NSU (6-5, 2-0 in the Southland) was sharp in edging Sam Houston State 4-3 and posting a 7-0 win over Lamar to begin the league schedule. Going on the road presents additional challenges for any team, especially a squad with just one senior and one junior that enjoys the advantage provided by a supportive fan base at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex. 

"This past weekend I felt we played very well beginning to end in both matches," said head coach Patric DuBois. "The most important match of the season is always the next one. When you play on the road and then finish a match. You get in the van and travel to the next site, and that's grinding in itself, so we have to be efficient in what we do." 

"We have to have the same intensity, attitude and willingness to grind every match out on each court." 

NSU and McNeese are atop the early standings as the only two teams unbeaten through two matches. Central Arkansas and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi are 1-0. 

McNeese (6-1, 2-0) overcame the Lady Demons last year in a 5-2 triumph that interrupted a nine-match winning streak. Sophomores (freshmen at the time), Judit Castillo and Emilija Dancetovic garnered the only NSU points.  

"We'll have to work hard to get a 'W', but this year we have a good opportunity to show them (McNeese) that we can do better," said senior Polina Ivanova. 

Friday's McNeese contest was rescheduled from Saturday due to anticipated rain, and will start at 11 a.m. This allows NSU a one-day breath before Sunday's 11 a.m. match against Nicholls State (7-3, 0-1 in the Southland). 

The Lady Demons have overcome the Colonels in their last two meetings including a 7-0 sweep last year. Though NSU has defeated Nicholls in most recent competition, it still expects a tough, well-fought match on Sunday.