Box Score

NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State tennis team made quick work of Incarnate Word in its Southland Conference opener on Saturday, winning 6-1 on Saturday at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.

NSU (7-3) won the first six points en route to a dominant SLC-opening triumph.

"They girls compete 100% regardless of the opponent and regardless of the line up," head coach Marcos Morelli said. "I feel excited for the team to get their first win in conference play."

Ayu Ishibashi and Honoka Umeda started off the morning with a 6-3 victory in doubles on court No. 2.

The Cardinals pairing of Sofia Salcedo and Isid Hernandez tied the doubles match 1-1 with a dominant performance in the No. 1 spot, 6-3.

The Lady Demons clinched the doubles point, 6-3, on No. 3 with doubles pairing Sara Erenda and Sofi Garcia.

Farina had a dominant performance in the No. 6 spot, only allowing one game in two sets, 6-0, 6-1.

On court No. 5, Umeda topped McKenzy Byfield in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0, to push the lead to 3-0.

Garcia cliched the match for NSU on No. 4. After being down 3-2 to Ine Lamprecht, Garcia took four straight games to take the first set. She finished the second set 6-2.

Ishibashi was up 5-3 in the first set before dropping three straight games and rebounding to push the set to a tiebreaker, winning it 9-7. In the second set she only allowed two games before finishing 6-2.

On No. 3, Erenda took the first set 6-4, before falling 6-3 in the second.

Instead of playing a third set, the court decided to play a super tiebreaker. With Erenda down 5-2, she fought back scoring four straight points.

"I was a bit nervous going into the match because it is different playing in conference," said Erenda. "I am very happy I had a good start and that the team was able to come out with a win."
 

The rest of the tiebreaker was back and forth, until Erenda topped Hernandez 10-8.

"Playing in the No. 3 spot was different. I do feel more pressure playing at No. 6 because it ties up the singles court, but I was glad I was able to experience a different atmosphere," Erenda said.

UIW's lone point came from a third set thriller on No. 1, where Salcedo topped Klevisar 6-2 in the first set before falling behind 6-3 in the second. She came back with 7-5 victory in the third.

NSU's match on Monday against SLC opponent Corpus Christi, has been postponed due to impending weather. The Lady Demons will be back in action March 9, as they are set to host Central Arkansas at 11 a.m.

Tennis Match Results

Northwestern State v. Incarnate Word

March 2, 2024, Natchitoches, La.

Jack Fisher Tennis Complex

NSU 6, UIW 1

Singles:

1. Sofi Salcedo (UIW) def. Tjasa Klevisar (NSU) 6-2, 3-6, 7-5

2. Ayu Ishibashi (NSU) def. Estefania Gonzalez (UIW) 7-6 (9-7), 6-2

3. Sara Erenda (NSU) def. Isid Hernandez (UIW) 6-4, 3-6, 10-8

4. Sofi Garcia (NSU) def. Ine Lamprecht (UIW) 6-3, 6-2

5. Honoka Umeda (NSU) def. McKenzy Byfield (UIW) 6-2, 6-0

6. Maria Farina (NSU) def. Barbora Havlova (UIW) 6-0, 6-1

Order of finish: 6, 5, 4, 2, 3, 1

Doubles:

1. Sofia Salcedo/Isid Hernandez (UIW) def. Tjasa Klevisar/Maria Farina (NSU) 6-3

2. Ayu Ishibashi/Honoka Umeda (NSU) def. Estefania Gonzalez/Ine Lamprecht (UIW) 6-3

3. Sara Erenda/Sofi Garcia (NSU) def. McKenzy Byfield/Barbora Havlova (UIW) 6-3

Order of finish: 2, 1, 3