NATCHITOCHES—The Northwestern State women's tennis team celebrated Senior Day for its only senior, Polina Ivanova, in high fashion with a pre-match ceremony, a 7-0 sweep over Southland Conference foe Incarnate Word and an eighth consecutive home win on Sunday. 

The Lady Demons (14-6 overall, tied for first at 8-1 in the Southland) are undefeated at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex this season. One home match remains, against the league's two-time defending champion, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on April 21 at noon. 

Following a competitve doubles point, NSU defeated Incarnate Word (5-15, 3-6) with four straight-set singles wins and two triumphs after second-set losses. 

During an endearing Senior Day ceremony, Ivanova's heart was touched by head coach Patric DuBois who has been with the Russia native for all five years of her NSU career. 

"I was a little bit emotional in doubles because of all the words Coach said about me," Ivanova said. "I got so emotional, but Polina Mutel is always there to pick me up. She helped me a lot during doubles, so we won that match." 

"I was also still emotional in the beginning of singles, but then I picked it up and won." 

The Russian duo started the match with a 6-3 doubles victory in the No. 1 position. Judit Castillo and Kateryna Avram captured the clinch with a 6-4 triumph at No. 2 after trailing 3-2. 

"UIW did a good job opening up leads in all three doubles matches," DuBois said. "We stayed the course in our process and aggressive style and won some close matches there. I felt this gave us some momentum heading into singles." 

In the No. 4 slot, Iwaniuk lead the line of Lady Demon singles victories by defeating Alejandra Landaluce 6-0, 6-2. 

Ivanova finished right after with a 6-2, 6-0 straight-set victory against former first team NAIA All-American Jelena Dordan in the No. 2 position. 

This triumph improved her overall career singles record to 53-25 to place her in the top 9 for singles wins in Lady Demon history. 

"I'm excited about this," Ivanova said. "Hard work pays off. It's a result of hard work, but there's still room for improvement." 

Following the groove of her teammates, Avram clinched the overall match victory with NSU's third straight-set win 6-2, 6-0 over Maria Batchinsky in the No. 6 position. 

At No. 1, Mutel recovered from dropping the second set to prevail 10-2 in a pro set with Matea Zemunik after taking the first set 6-2, then falling 6-4 in the second. 

Slating the fourth straight-set victory of the day, Emilija Dancetovic defeated Sara Djudjevic 6-3,6-2 in the No. 3 position. 

Castillo completed the NSU sweep, winning a competitive third set 6-3 after dominating the opening set6-1  but faltering 6-2 in the second set with Rachel Sadiq at No. 5. 

"The ladies did a great job today," DuBois said. "UIW fought hard and is well-coached. We worked hard throughout the match, and it paid off for a good team victory." 

The Lady Demons will face Central Arkansas on the road Saturday at 11 a.m. and will return home to play Texas A&M Corpus Christi on April 21 at noon. 
 

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Northwestern State 7, UIW 0 

Jack Fisher Tennis Complex 

Natchitoches, La. 

Singles competition 

1. Polina Mutel (NSU) def. Matea Zemunik 6-2, 4-6, 10-2 

2. Polina Ivanova (NSU) def. Jelena Dordan 6-2, 6-0 

3. Emilija Dancetovic (NSU) def. Sara Djurdjevic 6-3, 6-2 

4. Ela Iwaniuk (NSU) def. Alejandra Landaluce 6-0, 6-2 

5. Judit Castillo (NSU) def. Rachel Sadiq 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 

6. Kateryna Avram (NSU) def. Maria Batchinsky 6-2, 6-0 

Doubles competition 

1. Polina Mutel/Polina Ivanova (NSU) def. Sara Djurdjevic/Rachel Sadiq 6-3 

2. Judit Castillo/Kateryna Avram (NSU) def. Matea Zemunik/Alejandra Landaluce 6-4 

3. Emilija Dancetovic/Ela Iwaniuk (NSU) vs. Jelena Dordan/Maria Batchinsky 5-4, unfinished 

Match Notes: 

UIW 5-15, 3-6 SLC 

Northwestern State 14-6, 8-1 SLC 

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

T-2:27 A-50