HUNTSVILLE, Texas—A day after the scheduled start, the Northwestern State tennis team wraps up its fall season with the Bearkat Invitational.

The two-day event begins on Saturday at 9 a.m. and will likely conclude between 4:30-5:30.

In addition to NSU and host Sam Houston State, Tyler Junior College, UTSA and fellow Southland Conference member Lamar are participating in the tournament.

It is the fourth fall event for the Lady Demons, having already played at Central Arkansas, the ITA Southern Regional and their home tournament.

Jonas Brobeck, the women's tennis head coach, illness has infiltrated the team, but he is excited for the players coming to Sam Houston to become better.

"The girls we are bringing to Huntsville have worked hard all fall and been really committed to the team and their individual process," head women's tennis coach Jonas Brobeck said. "Unfortunately, the flu and illness has made the team very small but we are excited for the opportunity to compete and finish off the fall in a good fashion."

Paige Wise and Sofi Garcia carried the flag for NSU in the ITA Southern Regional, each reaching the main draw. Wise defeated Samford's Olivia Jablonski 6-1, 7-5, while Garcia rolled against Samford's Samantha Nanere, 6-2, 6-0, to win their qualifying draws.

Gig Kanaphuet reached the second round knocked off Alabama's Sydney Orefice in straight sets in singles, 6-4, 6-3, before falling in the second round.

At the tournament in which NSU hosted, Kanaphuet reached her singles draw's final with a victory against Stephen F. Austin's Saga Koch.

Ayu Ishibashi has played in one fall tournament, but made the most of it, winning her draw at the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Lady Demon Collegiate Classic to open the fall season. She defeated Alice Klinteby (ULM) 6-2, 6-4.

Kanaphuet and Renske Ubachs won against the Mississippi State tandem of Sydney Hrehor and Maddie McKee 8-5 in their first doubles match of the year.

After losing her first match in the ITA Southern Regional qualifying draw, Ubachs rebounded to win two matches in the back draws, defeating UL Monroe's Alice Klinteby in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, before doing the same against New Orleans' Tristanne Dechoux 6-4, 6-1.