NATCHITOCHES – Despite a strong showing in doubles play, the Northwestern State Lady Demons came up short against Rhode Island, falling 4-2 at the Jack Fisher Lady Demon Complex on Tuesday afternoon.  

"I think it was a good match," head coach Marcos Morelli said. "I'm proud of how the other team competed and the fight they showed in key moments." 

Short-handed Northwestern State (4-6) captured both doubles matches and battled hard in singles action but could not overcome key setbacks. 

Northwestern State started the afternoon on a high note in doubles, securing the opening point with back-to-back victories. 

Due to injuries, the Lady Demons had to win both doubles matches to earn the point which they did. 

The tandem of Zoi Spyrou and Honoka Umeda displayed resilience in the No. 1 doubles match, overcoming an early 3-0 deficit to edge out Nikki Fernando and Katharina Spieth 7-5 in a tightly contested battle filled with momentum shifts. The Lady Demons duo scored the final four games to come back and edge Fernando and Spieth to clinch the point. 

Pika Doberlet and Maria Farina displayed great chemistry and aggressive net play, cruising to a 6-2 win over Darcy and Pettersson at the No. 2 spot to tie the doubles up at 1-1. 

With the score tied at 1-1 after the Lady Demons only played five players, Farina was forced to withdraw and the Rams (9-2) took a 2-1 lead. 

Spyrou fought through long rallies in singles play but fell to Spieth 6-4, 6-1 in the No. 1 spot to give the Rams a 3-1 advantage. 

In the No. 5 position, Valeria Ortega put up a fight but ultimately fell 6-3, 6-1 to Anastasia Pettersson, as URI clinched the match with its fourth point. 

The lone singles victory came from Umeda, who delivered an impressive performance, controlling the second set after a dominant first set for a 7-5, 6-1 triumph over Sophie Herrman.  

Doberlet was in the middle of a tight battle with Grace Darcy, having claimed a first-set tiebreak 7-6 (7-0) and leading 3-2 in the second when the match was left unfinished at the No. 4 spot.  

"Every match is important," said Morelli. "Each one is an opportunity to improve. Today, we needed to be more consistent in singles, but overall, I'm proud of the girls. They competed hard and gave great effort." 

The Lady Demons aim to bounce back as they travel to Stephenville, Texas, to take on Tarleton State on Saturday. The match is set to begin at 11 a.m. 

Rhode Island 4, Northwestern State 2 
Women's Tennis at Natchitoches, Louisiana - Jack Fisher Lady Demon Complex 
Singles 
1. Katharina Spieth (URI) def. Zoi Spyrou (NSU) 6-4, 6-1 
2. Honoka Umeda (NSU) def. Sophie Herrman (URI) 7-5, 6-1 
3. Nikki Fernando (URI) def. Maria Farina (NSU) 6-1, retired 
4. Pika Doberlet (NSU) vs. Grace Darcy (URI) 7-6 (7-0), 3-2, unfinished 
5. Anastasia Pettersson (URI) def. Valeria Ortega (NSU) 6-3, 6-1 
6. Klara Nelander (URI) def. No player (NSU), by forfeit 

Doubles 
1. Zoi Spyrou/Honoka Umeda (NSU) def. Nikki Fernando/Katharina Spieth (URI) 7-5 
2. Pika Doberlet/Maria Farina (NSU) def. Grace Darcy/Anastasia Pettersson (URI) 6-2 

Match Notes 
Northwestern State 4-6, 4-0 
Rhode Island 9-2, 0-0 
Orders of Finish: Doubles: 2, 1 Singles: 1, 5, 2, 4