HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Northwestern State tennis opened play Friday at the Bearkat Invitational with a competitive showing in doubles, highlighted by two strong wins against Lamar.

The Lady Demons started the day with a composed performance, as Pika Doberlet and Maria Farina claimed a 6–3 victory over Lamar's Arina Gudovskaya and Luana Paiva.

Martina Acebedo Bonocore and Athina Grigoriadou followed with an impressive 6–1 win against Varvara Popadina and Savannah Bijlsma, giving NSU a productive start to the weekend.

Zoi Spyrou and Lolita Hukasian battled but fell 6-2 to Lera Zaginayko and Martina Alcaino 6-2.

Head coach Marcos Morelli said he was pleased with how the team approached the day.

"It was a good opportunity for the girls to face strong competition," Morelli said. "All matches were very competitive. This is a tournament with high-level tennis."
In their second doubles session, Northwestern State faced Stephen F. Austin in a series of closely contested matches.

Doberlet and Farina fell 6–4 to Avery Kinsey and Ksenia Mamantova, while Spyrou and Lija Mumlek battled before falling 6–3 to Sonja Rooth and Felicia Back.

Acebedo and Grigoriadou also came up short in a 6–4 match to Antonella Taco and Ana Paula Chavez.

Morelli credited SFA for their strength while emphasizing his team's continued growth.

"SFA is proving to be a strong team, and we enjoy competing against them," he said. "The girls have been practicing hard, and their confidence is built there. We have to play our type of doubles from start to finish."

Northwestern State returns to action Saturday for the second day of competition at the Bearkat Invitational, aiming to carry forward the momentum from its strong opening session.

Northwestern State Lady Demons Tennis
Bearkat Invitational – Friday

SFA vs Northwestern State
Avery Kinsey/Ksenia Mamantova (SFA) def. Pika Doberlet/Maria Farina (NSU) 6–4
Sonja Rooth/Felicia Back (SFA) def. Zoi Spyrou/Lija Mumlek (NSU) 6–3
Antonella Taco/Ana Paula Chavez (SFA) def. Martina Acebedo Bonocore/Athina Grigoriadou (NSU) 6–4

Lamar vs Northwestern State
Pika Doberlet/Maria Farina (NSU) def. Arina Gudovskaya/Luana Paiva (LU) 6–3
Lera Zaginayko/Martina Alcaino (LU) def. Zoi Spyrou/Lolita Hukasian (NSU) 6–2
Martina Acebedo Bonocore/Athina Grigoriadou (NSU) def. Varvare Popadina/Savannah Bijlsma (LU) 6–1