THIBODAUX -- On the eve of the one-year anniversary since the last time it experienced a conference victory, the Northwestern State tennis team has once again recaptured that feeling. After an achingly-long hiatus due to COVID-19 and a couple of competitive Southland Conference match defeats, the Lady Demons pushed past Nicholls 4-3 Sunday at the Colonel Tennis Complex.
The victory moved NSU to 2-3 overall and 1-3 in Southland Conference play. The loss dropped the Colonels to 2-7 and 0-4.
NSU soundly swept Nicholls in doubles competition. Emilija Dancetovic/Dorota Szczygielska finished off Morgan Forshag/Nikita Pinto 6-2. Shortly after, Judit Castillo Gargallo/Viktorie Wojcikova capped the team victory with another 6-2 win over Simona Maksimovic/Laura Lopez. Mariella Minetti/Patrycja Polanska completed the sweep with a 6-3 win over Carla Buoygues/Nuria Martin Lopez.
"We got off to a good start in setting the tone early in this one," head coach Jonas Brobeck said. "The big difference in this match for us was carrying that momentum over into singles play, which made the difference."
The Lady Demons indeed remained razor sharp, especially at the beginning of singles competition. Dancetovic opened singles play against Pinto and promptly ended it. She wrapped a perfect match against Pinto, earning a 6-0, 6-0 victory, pushing NSU's lead to 2-0.
Dancetovic continues to dominate in both acts of the team match, as she has won four of her last five singles matchups. Through the first five matches, herself and Szczygielska also remain undefeated in doubles.
Castillo Gargallo (6-2, 6-2) and Wojcikova (6-3, 6-0) also claimed their points in straight sets, which clinched the team win for the Lady Demons. Following the weekend's results, both Castillo Gargallo and Wojcikova have remained consistent in singles play, claiming victory in three of their five matches so far this season.
"It was a good trip for us as a team," Brobeck said. "However, we are ready to return home and continue to build and improve for next week, so we can be ready for next weekend, and continue to compete at higher levels throughout the season."
NSU returns to Natchitoches to host Southeastern Louisiana (3-7, 1-3) on Friday and McNeese (1-9, 1-2) on Sunday.
Tennis Match Results
Northwestern State vs Nicholls
3/7/2021 at Thibodaux, La.
(Colonel Tennis Complex)
Northwestern State 4, Nicholls 3
Singles competition:
1. Simona Maksimovic (NICH) def. Minnetti, Mariella (NSU) 3-6, 6-3, 10-8
2. Wojcikova, Viktorie (NSU) def. Laura Lopez (NICH) 6-3, 6-0
3. Carla Bouygues (NICH) def. Szczygielska, Dorota (NSU) 6-1, 6-4
4. Castillo, Judit (NSU) def. Nuria Martin Lopez (NICH) 6-2, 6-2
5. Dancetovic, Emijila (NSU) def. Nikita Pinto (NICH) 6-0, 6-0
6. Morgan Forshag (NICH) def. Wallin, Greta (NSU) 6-2, 6-3
Doubles competition:
1. Minnetti, Mariella/Polanska, Patrisha (NSU) def. Carla Bouygues/Nuria Martin Lopez (NICH) 6-3
2. Castillo, Judit/Wojcikova, Viktorie (NSU) def. Laura Lopez/Simona Maksimovic (NICH) 6-2
3. Dancetovic, Emijila/Szczygielska, Dorota (NSU) def. Morgan Forshag/Nikita Pinto (NICH) 6-2
Match Notes:
Northwestern State 2-3, 1-3 SLC
Nicholls 2-7, 0-4 SLC
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (5,6,2,4,3,1)
