NATCHITOCHES – Every Southland Conference match always counts, but when the league schedule has just seven matches, each contest carries an even heavier weight.

The Northwestern State tennis team opens conference play this weekend as they host Incarnate Word on Saturday.

The match will take place at 11 a.m.

NSU (6-3) is coming off a close 4-3 loss against Louisiana Tech that snapped its six-match win streak.

Playing primarily at the No. 4 spot in rotation, junior Ayu Ishibashi has won seven matches in a row.

Sara Erenda has proven to be a great addition to the Lady Demon squad. She has won her last six match-ups, including the final point to sweep LSU-Alexandria.

Freshman Honoka Umeda has shown her strength as a Lady Demon. Umeda is 5-0 on the season in singles, playing in the back three rotation spots.

Three Lady Demons are playing their first SLC match in their careers.

UIW (3-7) is coming off a 5-2 win against New Mexica State.

NSU holds a 7-1 lead in the overall series. In the previous match up, UIW emerged its first victory in the series, a 5-2 win.

The Cardinals are led by Isid Hernandez Leon, who is is 5-1 in singles at No. 2 and 3.

The matchup on Monday against Texas A&M – Corpus Christi has been postponed due to expected incoming weather.

The Lady Demons will be back in action March 9 when they host Central Arkansas.