HUNTSVILLE, Texas – After a one-week break, the Northwestern State tennis team opens the second half of its fall season Friday at the Bearkat Invitational at Sam Houston.
 
Fourth-year head coach Marcos Morelli said the team had a steady focus between the end of the River State Shoot Out at Texas State and Friday's opening day of the three-day tournament at the home of Northwestern's former Southland Conference rival.
 
"It was a good two weeks to work on doubles and continue to build on some things in singles," Morelli said of the break in competition, which fell at the midpoint of Northwestern's six-tournament fall season.
 
The Lady Demons will send four players to Huntsville, including senior Honoka Umeda, who will make her fall debut this weekend.

Sophomores Athina Grigoriadou and Martina Acebedo Bonocore will comprise one doubles team while Umeda and freshman Nico Tagami will make up the other.
 
Umeda will play only doubles matches in her return to action.

Tagami has enjoyed a strong start to her fall singles season, and by pairing her with Umeda, Morelli said he hopes to strengthen that success.
 
"Honoka, as a senior and our captain, will be able to guide Nico, her fellow countrywoman, on some things that we want her to improve," Morelli said.
 
The three-day tournament opens with a pair of doubles matches Friday. Saturday's action features two rounds of singles play. Sunday's final day will see competitors play one match in both the singles and doubles draws.