ALEXANDRIA – Searching for its footing on the cusp of postseason play, Northwestern State tennis has one final test ahead of the impending Southland Conference Tournament. 

The Lady Demons (6-8) take a short trip down Interstate 49 on Monday to face No. 10 NAIA LSU-Alexandria (6-1) at 1 p.m. at the Alexandria Aquatic-Racquet Club.

"We're looking forward to getting in our second match with LSUA," head coach Jonas Brobeck said. "It worked out well for us this season to be able to play them on the way into the conference tournament because LSUA always comes prepared, fights hard, and are very well coached. Getting a match in against them will serve as excellent preparation for next weekend."

Friday's match between the Lady Demons and LSUA comes as a result of a previously postponed doubleheader match initially scheduled for Feb. 23. NSU and LSUA did compete that day, however, the second match was postponed.  

In their initial meeting with LSUA, The Lady Demons dominated in both stages of play, ending the day in a 7-0 sweep of the Generals. After a sweep in doubles for NSU, they wrapped singles play in equally convincing fashion, taking five of six courts in straight sets and completing the shutout.

Senior Emilija Dancetovic aims to complete a career season on a high note with one final win against the Generals. A 6-3, 3-6, 3-6 defeat at Louisiana Tech snapped what was a four-match win streak for Dancetovic and was her first singles loss since March 23.

Having found success on the No. 1 court for the Lady Demons down the final stretch of the season, freshman Mariella Minetti is determined to replicate her initial success in the Feb. 23 match against LSUA, in which she defeated Darjia Mladenovic 6-0, 6-1. Entering Monday's match, Minetti has won two of her last three singles points.

LSUA, having held onto a top ten ranking in the NAIA throughout its season, enters the match riding high following its sixth-consecutive win, a 4-3 victory over No. 4 William Carey. The win represents LSUA's highest-ever win over a ranked team.

Owners of the fifth seed in the Southland Conference tournament, NSU is scheduled to play No. 4 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday, at 2 p.m. in Beaumont, Texas.