NACOGDOCHES, Texas – In a clash of Southland Conference rivals, Stephen F. Austin secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Northwestern State on Saturday afternoon at the Schlief Tennis Complex. 

"SFA competed very well," says head coach Marcos Morelli. "Congratulations to them on a great win." 

The result created a three-way tie atop the Southland Conference standings, as the Lady Demons, SFA and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi all share the regular season title. 

The Ladyjacks (14-6, 8-1) set the tone early by claiming the doubles point.  

Ksenia Mamontova and Avery Kinsey rolled to a 6-3 win over NSU's Honoka Umeda and Zoi Spyrou at the No. 2 spot.  

Felicia Back and Sonja Rooth sealed the point with a clutch 7-5 win against Ayu Ishibashi and Sofi Garcia at the No. 3 spot.  

The No. 1 doubles match between Northwestern State's Tjasa Klevisar and Maria Farina and SFA's Jemma Cave and Ana Paula Chavez went unfinished at 6-5, with the Ladyjacks already securing the point. 

The Ladyjacks rode their doubles momentum straight into singles play, wasting no time asserting dominance. 

Mamontova set the tone at the No. 2 spot, defeating Spyrou 6-3, 6-2. 

Cave kept the fire burning, overpowering Umeda in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, as the Jacks led 3-0. 

Northwestern State (9-7, 8-1) tried to claw back into the match, as Ishibashi won 7-5, 6-2, in straight sets over SFA's Antonella Taco Villarreal to cut it to 3-1. 

Garcia edged Chavez in two tight sets, 7-5, 7-5, to tie cut the deficit to 3-2, as the Lady Demons aimed to mount a massive comeback. 

However, Rooth won at No. 3, grinding out a clutch 6-2, 7-6 win over Farina to seal the victory for the Ladyjacks. 

Klevisar finished off the match with a three-set victory over Back, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 at the No. 1 spot to make the final score at 4-3. 

"There are a lot of tough teams, and it's shaping up to be a great tournament — we're looking forward to the challenge," said Morelli. "This team is capable of doing great things." 

Northwestern State heads to the Southland Conference Tournament with one goal in mind — bringing home another championship trophy to add to their collection of three. The action kicks off Wednesday as the opening round sets the stage for a high-stakes postseason run.  

Fans can follow the journey every step of the way on Twitter at @NSUDemonsWTN and stay up to date with schedules, results, and coverage at NSUDemons.com. 

RESULTS  
Stephen F. Austin 4, Northwestern State 3 
Women's Tennis at Nacogdoches, Texas - Schlief Tennis Complex 
Singles  
Tjasa Klevisar (NSU) def. Felicia Back (SFA) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 
Ksenia Mamontova (SFA) def. Zoi Spyrou (NSU) 6-3, 6-2 
Jemma Cave (SFA) def. Honoka Umeda (NSU) 6-2 6-4 
Sonja Rooth (SFA) def. Maria Farina (NSU) 6-2, 7-6 
Ayu Ishibashi (NSU) def. Antonella Taco Villarreal (SFA) 7-5, 6-2 
Sofi Garcia (NSU) def. Ana Paula Chavez (SFA) 7-5, 7-5 

Doubles 
Tjasa Klevisar/Maria Farina (NSU) vs. Jemma Cave/Ana Paula Chavez (SFA) 6-5 uf 
Ksenia Mamontova/Avery Kinsey (SFA) def. Honoka Umeda/Zoi Spyrou (NSU) 6-3 
Felicia Back/Sonja Rooth (SFA) def. Ayu Ishibashi/Sofi Garcia (NSU) 7-5 

Match Notes 
Northwestern State (9-7, 8-1)  
Stephen F. Austin (14-6, 8-1) 
Orders of finish: Doubles (2, 3, uf) Singles (2, 3, 5, 6, 4, 1)