NATCHITOCHES — The Northwestern State Lady Demons opened their home schedule Thursday with a gritty 5–2 victory over Jackson State at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex, highlighted by a pivotal comeback performance from Maria Farina that helped secure the team's second win of the season.

"It was a very tough match," head coach Marcos Morelli said. "Jackson State made it hard on every court, especially in singles. I'm proud of our girls for staying composed and pulling through."

NSU (2–1) set the tone early, claiming the doubles point, winning two of the three matches.

At the No. 1 position, Honoka Umeda and Lolita Hukasian earned a 6–2 victory over Isabella Benavides and Paula Corbalan.

Pika Doberlet and Farina followed with a 6–3 win at No. 2 doubles against Victoria Linkovski and Paulina Georgieva to give the Lady Demons an early 1–0 advantage.

The No. 3 doubles match between Martina Acebedo Bonocore and Athina Grigoriadou and Jackson State's Daniela Tovar and Tiara Alvarez was left unfinished.

"Winning the doubles point is always huge," Morelli said. "I was pleased with the process on all three courts. That early momentum matters in matches like this."

Singles play turned into a back-and-forth battle, with NSU striking first.

Freshman Grigoriadou delivered a dominant performance at the No. 3 position, defeating Mariia Iordanova 6–1, 6–0 to push the Lady Demons' lead to 2–0.

Doberlet extended the advantage shortly after, earning a 6–3, 6–2, straight-sets victory over Paulina Georgieva to make it 3–0.

JSU (0-3) responded at the No. 5 position, as Alvarez defeated Hukasian 6–3, 6–2, trimming the deficit to 3–1 and swinging momentum toward the Tigers.

With the match tightening, Farina delivered one of the defining moments of the afternoon at No. 2 singles. After falling behind 4-1 in the second set, the junior stayed composed and rallied to close out a 6–4, 7–5 victory over Linkovski, clinching the match for NSU.

"It was crucial," Morelli said. "Jackson State had momentum on several courts. Maria stayed calm, cruised through the storm, and found a way to finish. That experience really showed."

Umeda later battled in a three-set thriller at the No. 1 position but fell to Corbalan, 3–6, 6–2, 2–6.

With the team result already decided, both sides played out the remaining match. Acebedo Bonocore closed the afternoon with a hard-fought three-set win over Benavides, bouncing back after dropping the first set to take the final two, 7–5 and 10–8.

The match featured key contributions from NSU's freshmen, opening and closing the day with wins.

"We're very pleased with our freshmen," Morelli said. "Athina, Martina, and Lija (Mumlek) fight hard, they listen, and they're getting better. It's not a coincidence that the first win and the last win came from those two."

The victory marked the Lady Demons' first win at home this season.

"It's exciting for the girls to feel the support of our community and get their first win on our courts," Morelli said. "That matters."

The win improves NSU to 2-1 on the season. The Lady Demons now head to Denton, Texas, to face North Texas on Sunday, with doubles scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

Northwestern State 5, Jackson State 2
Northwestern State Lady Demons - Natchitoches, Louisiana
Northwestern State University - Jack Fisher Tennis Complex

Singles
Paula Corbalan (JSU) def. Honoka Umeda (NSU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
Maria Farina (NSU) def. Victoria Linkovski (JSU) 6-4, 7-5
Athina Grigoriadou (NSU) def. Mariia Iordanova (JSU) 6-1, 6-0
Martina Acebedo Bonocore (NSU) def. Isabella Benavides (JSU) 5-7, 7-5, 10-8
Pika Doberlet (NSU) def. Paulina Georgieva (JSU) 6-3, 6-2
Tiara Alvarez (JSU) def. Lolita Hukasian (NSU) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles
Honoka Umeda/Lolita Hukasian (NSU) def. Isabella Benavides/Paula Corbalan (JSU) 6-2
Pika Doberlet/Maria Farina (NSU) def. Victoria Linkovski/Paulina Georgieva (JSU) 6-3
Martina Acebedo Bonocore/Athina Grigoriadou (NSU) vs. Daniela Tovar/Tiara Alvarez (JSU) 4-3, uf

Order of finish: doubles (1, 2, uf) singles (3, 5, 6, 2, 1, 4)