DENTON, Texas – Northwestern State women's tennis continued to showcase its depth and resilience in the early rounds of the Diving Eagle Invitational on Friday, advancing multiple players deep into singles draws and securing a doubles semifinal berth. 

In singles play, junior Honoka Umeda led the way with back-to-back super tiebreak victories. She edged UT-Arlington's Diana Kaibara 6-3, 5-7, 13-11 in the opening round before grinding out a 6-0, 3-6, 10-6 win against North Texas' Lilly Schultz.  

With those results, Umeda advanced to the B Draw final, where she will compete for the title Sunday at 9 a.m. 

"Honoka really led the way as a junior today," said third-year head coach Marcos Morelli. "She battled through two long tiebreaks and showed toughness and discipline in the key moments. That kind of composure makes a big difference." 

Freshman Martina Acebedo Bonocore picked up a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory over TJC's Natalia Garcia Matea in her collegiate debut before falling in the second round to UNT's Pia Petelinsek. 

Elsewhere, Maria Farina rebounded from a narrow opening loss with a dominant 6-0, 6-1 win against Oral Robert's Ava Goodell in the West A Draw.  

Senior Zoi Spyrou also bounced back, outlasting ORU's Miranda Noor 6-3, 3-6, 10-5. 

The Lady Demons impressed in the D Draw, where both newcomers, Lolita Hukasian and Athina Grigoriadou, advanced to the finals. 

Hukasian cruised past UTA's Natalia Gonzalez 6-2, 6-1, while Grigoriadou earned a 6-3, 6-1 victory over ORU's Milana Bozhko. Both now await their championship opponents. 

"For our newcomers to step in and compete at this level right away says a lot about their growth and the way they represent the team," Morelli said. 

In doubles play, the tandem of Spyrou and Grigoriadou rolled to a 6-1 victory over ORU's Natalia Perez Ortega and Annelise Deer, advancing to the semifinals where they will face UTA's Tasnime Ahamout and Natalia Gonzalez on Saturday at 8 a.m. 

The duos of Farina/Hukasian and Bonocore/Umeda battled in competitive matches but came up short against strong tandems from UTA and UNT, respectively. 

"We know there's still work to be done in doubles, but I was encouraged by the intention and effort the players showed," Morelli said. "They're committed to the process, and that's what will help us improve as the fall goes on." 

Reflecting on the opening rounds, Morelli emphasized his team's focus and discipline. 

"The biggest takeaway today was the discipline our players showed in singles," he said. "They stayed focused and competed with purpose, which is exactly what we want to see early in the season." 

The Lady Demons continue tournament play this weekend, with Umeda vying for a draw title and several doubles and singles players still in contention. 

University of North Texas - Diving Eagle Invite 
Friday Results 
 
Singles First Round 
East 
A - Sofia Selle (UTA) def. Maria Farina (NSU) 7-5, 4-6, 10-5 
A - Lou Chalard (UNT) def. Zoi Spyrou (NSU) 6-3, 6-0 
B - Honoka Umeda (NSU) def. Diana Kaibara (UTA) 6-3, 5-7, 13-11 
C - Martina Acebedo Bonocore (NSU) def. Natalia Garcia Matea (TJC) 6-2, 6-2 
D - Athina Grigoriadou (NSU) def. Chase Holloway (ORU) 6-0, 6-0 
D - Lolita Hukasian (NSU) def. Alix Dol (TJC) 6-2, 6-1 
 
West (A Draw) 
Maria Farina (NSU) def. Ava Goodell (ORU) 6-0, 6-1 
Zoi Spyrou (NSU) def. Miranda Noor (ORU) 6-3, 3-6, 10-5 
 
Second Round 
East 
B - Honoka Umeda (NSU) def. Lilly Schultz (UNT) 6-0, 3-6, 10-6 
C - Pia Petelinsek (UNT) def. Martina Acebedo Bonocore (NSU) 1-6, 6-4, 10-1 
D - Athina Grigoriadou (NSU) def. Milana Bozhko (ORU) 6-3, 6-1 
D - Lolita Hukasian (NSU) def. Natalia Gonzalez (UTA) 6-2, 6-1 

Doubles 
East 
A - Lilly Schultz/Lou Chalard (UNT) def. Martina Acebedo Bonocore/Honoka Umeda (NSU) 6-2 
A - Elizaveta Mladentseva/Diana Kaibara (UTA) def. Maria Farina/Lolita Hukasian (NSU) 6-3 
B - Zoi Spyrou/Athina Grigoriadou (NSU) def. Natalia Perez Ortega/Annelise Deer (ORU) 6-1