NATCHITOCHES – Despite strong play and late pushes in both singles and doubles, Northwestern State tennis came up short Thursday in a Day 2 action at the Southland Conference Fall Masters. 

Head coach Marcos Morelli credited both the level of competition and his team's continued progress.  

"Congrats to them for competing better than us," Morelli said. "They deserved the wins. I'm still happy about our process. I feel we're on the right track. We want to be in those close matches, and that's where growth happens." 

Northwestern's doubles pairing of Maria Farina and Honoka Umeda could not built on the momentum of a back-and-forth first set with Stephen F. Austin's Jemma Cave and Ksenia Mamontova, falling 6-4, 6-2. 

In the first set, the Lady Demons and the Lady Jacks battled back and forth.  

After Farina's serve brought the score to 3-2 for the Demons, SFA won the next two games to take a 4–3 lead.  

The Demons evened the set at 4, but SFA took the final two games to win the set 6–4. 

After dropping the opening set, the Lady Demons were unable to gain momentum. The Lady Jacks ultimately won the second set 6–2, advancing in the tournament. 

Senior Zoi Spyrou took McNeese's Salome Fluri to the limit before falling in three sets 7-5, 2-6, 1-6. 

Fluri started off the match strong, taking a 3-1 lead over Spyrou in the early set. 

After Fluri took a 5–1 lead, Spyrou responded by winning the next four games, tying it at 5–5, with momentum building in favor of Spyrou. 

Spyrou continued to apply pressure, winning the final two games to finish off Fluri in the first set 7-5. 

Fluri opened the second set in strong fashion, leading 2-1, halting the momentum Spyrou had. 

Spyrou's consistent play tied the set at 2-2, but Fluri quickly regained the lead, extending it to 5-2. 

Fluri carried her momentum to tie the match with a 6-2 set over Spyrou. 

With the momentum on Fluri's side, the Cowgirl opened the final set up 2-0. 

Fluri took advantage of her hot start, finishing the third set 6-1 to advance in the tournament. 

Morelli said the team continues to focus on maintaining high standards against top-tier competition. 

"The girls are doing the right things in both doubles and singles," he said. "Their opponents are some of the best in the league. We did good, but we didn't do excellent — and to beat the best, you have to be excellent. The standard for us is to be at the top, and that means improving in the little things." 

Despite the results, Morelli said the home crowd helped fuel the team throughout the day. 

"It was great to play in front of our fans again," he said. "The girls felt the support. That's part of why we wanted to host this event — to give the Natchitoches community a chance to see some of the best tennis in the conference right here at home." 

The Lady Demons take part in their final tournament of the fall season when they head to Beaumont, Texas, to compete in the Joe Pyburn Invitational at Lamar, beginning on Oct. 31. 

Northwestern State Tennis - Jack Fisher Tennis Complex

Southland Conference Fall Masters - Friday 

Doubles 

Ksenia Mamontova/Jemma Cave (SFA) def. Maria Farina/Honoka Umeda (NSU) 6-4, 6-2 

Singles 

Salome Fluri (MCN) def. Zoi Spyrou (NSU) (5-7) (6-2) (6-1)