NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State found itself on the wrong side 0f a close contest Sunday afternoon, dropping a 4-3 decision to Louisiana Tech.
The Lady Demons (6-3) debuted a new doubles line up, but ultimately dropped points on court one (6-3) and two (6-4) with court three going unfinished.
The NSU doubles pair of Sofi Garcia and Sara Erenda were neck and neck on court two, but the Tech duo of Valentina Vasquez and Tiffani Nash were too much. Tjasa Klevisar and Paige Wise fell 6-3 on court number one.
In singles, NSU took four first-set wins.
The Bulldog's Olga Bienzobas took down Klevisar in straight sets on court one giving them a 2-0 lead overall in the match.
Honoka Umeda got NSU on the board with a straight set victory on six with a dominant performance in the second set. She cruised to victory only dropping one game along the way.
"It was tough because it was hot and windy," said Umeda. "But I was able to calm myself down during the second set and was able to play at my pace."
Ayu Ishibashi was equally as dominant in her first set against Vasquez on court three.
In the second she trailed most of the set but came back to steal the set, 7-6, and topping Vasquez 7-3 in the tiebreaker.
Tech secured its third point with a win by retirement on court two.
Erenda tied the match for NSU with a third-set victory against Zoie Epps. She had a 6-2 victory in the second and third sets.
The match came down to the pivotal third set on court four.
Garcia and and Tech's Tiffany Nash went back and forth the entire match. Garcia took the first with a 6-2 victory, but Nash made a 4-2 run in the second to steal the set and send it to a third with a 6-3 win.
Nash used that momentum to win the third 6-2, handing the Lady Demons their first loss at home.
NSU will be back in action on Wednesday against South Alabama at 11 a.m. as it continues a 12-match homestand.
Northwestern State v. La Tech
February 25, 2024, Natchitoches, La.
Jack Fisher Tennis Complex
La Tech 4, Northwestern State 3
Tennis Match Results
Singles:
1. Olga Bienzobas (TECH) def. Tjasa Klevisar (NSU) 6-3, 6-3
2. Ana Rodrigues (TECH) def. Paige Wise (NSU) 5-7, 6-0, 2-1 (retired)
3. Ayu Ishibashi (NSU) def. Valentina Vasquez (TECH) 6-1, 7-6(7-3)
4. Tiffani Nash (TECH) def. Sofi Garcia (NSU) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
5. Sara Erenda (NSU) def. Zoie Epps (TECH) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
6. Honoka Umeda (NSU) def. Alexia Romero (TECH) 6-4, 6-1
Order of Finish: 1, 6, 3, 2, 5, 4
Doubles:
1. Olga Bienzobas/Alexia Romero (TECH) def. Tjasa Klevisar/Paige Wise (NSU) 6-3
2. Valentina Vasquez/Tiffani Nash (TECH) def. Sofi Garcia/Sara Erenda (NSU) 6-4
3. Zoie Epps/Ana Rodrigues (TECH) v. Ayu Ishibashi/Honoka Umeda (NSU) 6-5 (uf)
Order of Finish: 1, 2
