NATCHITOCHES – A season that brought Northwestern State its second Southland Conference regular season title in four seasons was bound to earn conference accolades. 

The fourth consecutive head coach to bring the Lady Demons a regular season title, second-year head coach Marcos Morelli headlines the Northwestern State award winners, as he was named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year, the league announced Tuesday. 

After winning a share of the regular season title, Morelli, Ayu Ishibashi and Sofi Garcia all took home awards from the conference, the last two earning second team accolades. 

To round out her NSU career, Ishibashi earned a second team selection at No. 5 singles, with Garcia following right behind her in the No. 6 spot on the second-team. 

If that wasn't enough, the pairing also earned a second team selection on the doubles court, earning second team as well at the doubles No. 3 spot. 

Marcos Morelli earns his first ever coach of the year award, guiding the Lady Demons to an 8-1 conference mark on the season, improving upon the 3-4 record from 2024. 

"Receiving this award is truly an honor, especially in a conference with so many strong programs and outstanding coaches," says Morelli. "That said, our focus is fully on the tournament now." 

This is the fourth time in program history that Northwestern State won coach of the year, joining Patric DuBois (1994, 2010) and Jonas Brobeck (2022). 

Voting was done by the head coaches and sports information contacts at the 12 Southland institutions that compete in women's tennis.  

Ishibashi was a force this year, going 7-2 in the conference, going 5-1 in her last six matches for the Lady Demons.  

The senior currently ranks in the top 5 at Northwestern State in singles win percentage in a career with a .767 and ranks in the top 25 of women's tennis history in all-time singles victories with 43. 

Garcia recorded only one loss this year for the Lady Demons, only falling to a first team all-conference selection. She went on a six match winning streak to start her 2025 season, winning all but one in straight-sets.  

At the conclusion of this season, the Argentinian solidified herself in the top 12 in singles win percentage, going 28-12 in her three-year career with one more to go.  

Both players didn't stop there, they decided to team up on the doubles court. Ishibashi and Garcia earned second-team All-SLC in doubles at the No. 3 spot, going 4-1 in SLC play.  

"Ayu and Sofi faced a season full of challenges and adversity, and I couldn't be prouder of how they responded," says Morelli. "They came back stronger, showing resilience, grit, and an unshakable work ethic. These awards are a testament to their mindset and relentless determination. It's incredibly rewarding to see them recognized for all they've overcome and achieved." 

NSU, the 3 seed, looks to the Southland tournament and their trek through their side of the bracket, starting on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Their opponent will be either No. 6 McNeese or No. 11 Nicholls. 

"The match against SFA was a tough loss, but it taught us a lot," Morelli said. "It stung, no doubt—but it's also fueling our drive. This tournament is the perfect opportunity to bounce back and show just how resilient and hungry we are." 

McNeese's Salome Fluri won Southland Player of the Year honors and teammate Ana Hollweg took the Newcomer of the Year award, while Fluri also took home the Freshman of the Year award.