NATCHITOCHES — In a match that carried the intensity of a rivalry battle, Northwestern State turned early adversity into momentum, sweeping Stephen F. Austin 7–0 on Saturday at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.
With emotions running high on both sides, the Lady Demons (10-5, 6-1) leaned on resilience and execution to secure the doubles point and carry that energy through singles play.
Maria Farina and Lolita Hukasian set the tone early with a 6–3 win at No. 2 doubles over Ana Paula Chavez and Avery Kinsey.
On Court 3, Martina Acebedo Bonocore and Athina Grigoriadou jumped out to a 3–0 lead before Stephen F. Austin (6-8, 4-3) responded to take a 7–5 decision, leaving the doubles point to be decided at the top spot.
There, Honoka Umeda and Sofi Garcia faced an early 3–0 deficit but rallied to force a tiebreak and dominated it 7–0 to secure a 7–6 victory and the doubles point.
Head coach Marcos Morelli emphasized the importance of that early momentum after a tight doubles showing the previous weekend.
"We worked on playing on our terms from start to finish, playing aggressive Demon doubles," Morelli said. "Every doubles point is close. Last weekend we had match points, this weekend it gets decided in a tiebreak. So it was a major talking point for us."
With the early edge secured, Northwestern carried that mindset into singles play.
Umeda quickly extended the lead with a 6–2, 6–2 win over Rooth at No. 1 before Garcia delivered one of the most impressive comebacks of the match at No. 5.
After taking the opening set, Garcia found herself trailing 5–1 in the second before storming back to claim a 6–1, 7–5 win over Chavez.
"That's something we've been talking about," Morelli said. "The girls realized that when adversity comes, you have to fight. If you don't fight, it's not going to go your way. They knew they would face adversity in this match, and they were ready to respond the right way."
Farina clinched the team victory at No. 2 singles, bouncing back from a first-set loss to defeat Ksenia Mamontova 0–6, 6–4, 2–0 before a retirement gave Northwestern a 4–0 lead.
Even after the match was decided, the Lady Demons continued to battle through tight moments.
Grigoriadou rallied from a 3–1 deficit in the second set to earn a 6–0, 7–6 (7–2) win at No. 3, while Acebedo added a 6–3, 6–3 victory at No. 4 over Antonella Taco.
Hukasian capped the sweep with a gritty three-set win at No. 6, defeating Giannakogiorgou 6–3, 1–5, 7–5.
Morelli pointed to the team's consistency in maintaining its approach as the difference in a match filled with momentum swings.
"The fight has been there in other matches," Morelli said. "But this time, the girls showed full commitment to their process for almost the entire match. That was the difference."
Despite the history between the two programs, Morelli noted the motivation came from within rather than revenge.
"This group wants to accomplish big things," he said. "They know SFA is a tough team, and they understand they have to perform at a high level to reach those goals."
NSU 7, SFA 0
Northwestern State Lady Demons - Natchitoches, Louisiana
Northwestern State - Jack Fisher Tennis Complex
Singles
Honoka Umeda (NSU) def. Sonja Rooth (SFA) 6-2, 6-2
Maria Farina (NSU) def. Ksenia Mamontova (SFA) 0-6, 6-4, 2-0, retired
Athina Grigoriadou (NSU) def. Felicia Back (SFA) 6-0, 7-6 (7-2)
Martina Acebedo Bonocore (NSU) def. Antonella Taco (SFA) 6-3, 6-3
Sofi Garcia (NSU) def. Ana Paula Chavez (SFA) 6-1, 7-5
Lolita Hukasian (NSU) def. Alk Giannakogiorgou (SFA) 6-3, 1-5, 7-5
Doubles
Honoka Umeda/Sofi Garcia (NSU) def. Sonja Rooth/Felicia Back (SFA) 7-6 (7-0)
Maria Farina/Lolita Hukasian (NSU) def. Ana Paula Chavez/Avery Kinsey (SFA) 6-3
Ksenia Mamontova/Alk Giannakogiorgou (SFA) def. Martina Acebedo/Athina Grigoriadou (NSU) 7-5
Orders finished: doubles (2, 3, 1); singles (1, 5, 2, 3, 4, 6)
