NEW ORLEANS—After three postponements in five scheduled games, the Northwestern State tennis team begins Southland Conference play on the road at New Orleans.
 
First serve on Saturday is at 11 a.m.
 
"Every team has a very competitive roster," second-year head coach Marcos Morelli said. "We must have a more aggressive mindset in singles and doubles from start to finish."

The Lady Demons (0-5) are eager to return to the court after their recent match against LSU-Shreveport was postponed due to inclement weather.

In their most recent completed match Feb. 22, the Lady Demons faced Louisiana Tech in Ruston, resulting in a 4-0 loss.

Despite the setback, the team has used the time to regroup and prepare for the upcoming conference challenges.

"We adjusted a couple of things after LA Tech," says Morelli. "This will have a more positive influence on our performance this coming Saturday."

Northwestern State received a boost against South Alabama, as Ayu Ishibashi returned and picked up a singles victory in her first action of the Spring season.

Playing at the top of the singles rotation, Honoka Umeda has claimed a pair of victories, going 2-1, winning against UT-Chattanoogs and North Texas.

Pika Doberlet has made her presence felt in doubles, as the freshman has gone 3-2 in doubles so far, splitting time between both the Nos. 1 and 2 matches.

UNO (3-1) is coming off a 4-3 win at home against Jackson State, one in which Iris Danne recorded the deciding point to finish off a near-four hour match.

The Privateers also knocked off Southern Miss on Feb. 8, 4-2, in New Orleans.

Overall, in the series, the Lady Demons have an 18-13 advantage and have won in 11 of the last 14 meetings, but the Privateers took the last match, a 6-1 triumph in New Orleans last season.

Following Saturday's match, the Lady Demons continue their conference road trip with a game against Nicholls on Monday at 10 a.m.