NATCHITOCHES – After returning home from a challenging yet rewarding road trip through the southern reaches of Louisiana, the Northwestern State tennis team is primed to defend its home court against its next opponent. 

The Lady Demons (2-3, 1-3) will lead off an action-packed weekend for NSU Athletics, facing Southeastern Louisiana (3-7, 1-3) on Friday at 1 p.m. at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex. The match marks the first meeting between the two since March 31, 2019. 

NSU logged its first Southland Conference victory of the season at Nicholls on Sunday. Freshman Dorota Szczygielska believes that win will go a long way in creating future success. 

"I think the last match gave us more confidence, which is what we needed leading into our next two matches here at home," Szczygielska said. "I feel like we are ready now to fight for more wins." 

NSU's victory over Nicholls halted a three-match skid to open conference play. It was a tough start for the Lady Demons, but the most recent road victory proved to be an enlightening day for the squad.

"We talk a lot about taking ownership of your court early and keeping it," said first-year head coach Jonas Brobeck. "I think we typically do a good job of that, but we have tendencies to let up, and that is dangerous in any sport. Any opponent is going to recognize that shift in momentum and take advantage of it. We have seen it happen to us a few times this season, but I think we have addressed it well and grown."

The Lady Demons, having found consistency in their doubles play, have clinched the point for the team match in four of their first five matches. Senior Emilija Dancetovic and Szczygielska are the tip of that spear, as they currently remain undefeated through their first five doubles matches.

"I feel like we have really good communication on the court, and [Emma] always motivates me to do better," Szczygielska said. "She is great at volleying, and I know I can trust her at the net."

Brobeck echoed much of the same feelings to that of Szczygielska, regarding the growth the team has experienced through their first few weeks of play.

"We are beginning to see the difference," Brobeck said. "We have begun to come together and do the right things, and when the process is good, the results follow. We have really started to notice the difference in doubles, and now the expectation is it will begin to translate to singles success, as well." 

The Lady Demons move into Friday's match winners of the last eight meetings with SLU. Their last loss at the hands of the Lady Lions occurred in 2008.

"Any Southland matchup is going to be a tough one," Brobeck said. "Every team is well coached and is coming prepared to play us. It's nice to be home after a long weekend on the road, which allows us more time to prepare and not have to travel. However, Southeastern is a strong team, and we expect them to bring their best."