NATCHITOCHES – It was a day to celebrate for more than one reason at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex, as Northwestern State not only honored its seniors but also clinched at least a share of the Southland Conference regular season title with a gritty 4-3 win over Southeastern on Monday afternoon. 

"I couldn't be prouder of this group," said head coach Marcos Morelli. "From day one, we committed to fighting for each other and focusing on what we could control. We trusted the process, and today, all that hard work paid off. Good things came because we earned them." 

This championship marks the sixth Southland Conference regular season or tournament title for the Lady Demons in the past 16 years, which have come under four different head coaches—Patric Dubois (2010, 2013, 2014), Olga Bazhanova (2015), Jonas Brobeck (2022) and Morelli (2025).  

The Lady Demons (9-6, 8-0) started the day celebrating seniors Ayu Ishibashi and Tjasa Klevisar.  

Despite the emotions of Senior Day, the Demons came out blistering, as early doubles action seized the first point for Northwestern State, sweeping the opposing competition. 

The pair of Sofi Garcia and Ishibashi continue to dominate this season following a 6-1 match over SLU's Taisia Bolsova and Claudia di Leonardo. 

The Lady Demons clinched the doubles point with a Maria Farina and Klevisar masterclass, beating the Lions' Bente Bierma and Panatchakom Suanarsa 6-4. 

The match between Zoi Spyrou and Honoka Umeda went unfinished with the duo leading 4-3 since the point was already secured. 

To begin singles, Southeastern (12-8, 3-6) capitalized on a retirement by Ishibashi to briefly even the score at 1. 

Garcia dominated at the No. 6 spot, blanking Bolsova in straight sets with a commanding 6-0, 6-0 victory to give the lead back to the Demons. 

Klevisar extended the lead for the Demons after a near-perfect 6-1, 6-1 set over Suanarsa at the No. 2 spot. 

"We take it day by day. Our focus is laser-sharp—only on the opponent directly in front of us," says Klevisar. "We stay true to our game, to what we represent." 

Umeda kept the momentum rolling for the Lady Demons, dispatching Southeastern's Di Leonardo 6-4, 6-2 to push the Lady Demons across the finish line and securing the team's second conference championship in four seasons. 

"I'm beyond thrilled with what we've accomplished," says Umeda. "My commitment remains the same – to continue to get better." 

With the match already secured for Northwestern State, Farina retired during her singles match against Darder. After dropping the first set 2-6, she led 5-3 in the second before being forced to retire. 

In a hard-fought three-set battle at the No. 1 spot, Southeastern's Gomez edged out Spyrou, claiming a 7-5, 2-6, 10-1 victory to close out the match. 

"We competed with everything we had today," says Morelli. "Their commitment to recovery was exceptional—they put themselves in prime condition for this match. This was a defining moment for us, and I couldn't be prouder of how they rose to the challenge." 

With the regular season title already clinched, the Lady Demons will head to Nacogdoches on Saturday for a makeup match against Stephen F. Austin — a contest originally postponed earlier in the season. Set for an 11 a.m. start, the matchup carries final seeding implications, as a win secures the outright title for Northwestern State. 

RESULTS 

Northwestern State 4, Southeastern 3 

Women's Tennis at Natchitoches, Louisiana - Jack Fisher Tennis Complex 

Singles 

Leana Gomez (SLU) def. Zoi Spyrou (NSU) 7-5, 2-6, 10-1 

Tjasa Klevisar (NSU) def. Panatchakom Suanarsa (SLU) 6-1, 6-1 

Honoka Umeda (NSU) def. Claudia di Leonardo (SLU) 6-4, 6-2 

Aitana Darder (SLU) def. Maria Farina (NSU) 2-6, 5-3 ret 

Bente Bierma (SLU) def. Ayu Ishibashi (NSU) 6-1, ret 

Sofi Garcia (NSU) def. Taisia Bolsova (SLU) 6-0, 6-0 

Doubles 

Maria Farina/Tjasa Klevisar (NSU) def. Bente Bierma/Panatchakom Suanarsa (SLU) 6-4 

Zoi Spyrou/Honoka Umeda (NSU) vs. Aitana Darder/Leana Gomez (SLU) 4-3 uf  

Sofi Garcia/Ayu Ishibashi (NSU) def. Taisia Bolsova/Claudia di Leonardo (SLU) 6-1 

Match Notes 

Northwestern State (9-6, 8-0) 

Southeastern (12-8, 3-6) 

Orders of finish: Doubles (3, 1, uf) Singles (5, 6, 2, 3, 4, 1)