NATCHITOCHES – When you stack wins the way the Northwestern State tennis team did this season, the awards tend to follow.

The Demons saw that payoff with a strong showing on the All-Southland Conference teams, highlighted by multiple singles and doubles selections and a major individual honor.

Leading the way was freshman Martina Acebedo Bonocore, who added Southland Conference Freshman of the Year honors to her All-SLC recognition at No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles.

Acebedo's Freshman of the Year honor marks a milestone for the program, becoming the first Demon to earn the award since Tatiana Larina in 2012.

Acebedo delivered one of the most consistent seasons in the conference, finishing with a 13-2 overall singles record and an 8-1 mark in SLC play. She rattled off a nine-match winning streak that included victories over
Jackson State, North Texas, UTRGV, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, proving herself as a steady force in the lineup.

Her only two losses came against elite competition, falling to No. 12 LSU and conference leader McNeese. In league play, she picked up wins over New Orleans, Nicholls, Southeastern, Stephen F. Austin, UIW, and Lamar, solidifying her place among the conference's best.

At the No. 4 position, Acebedo Bonocore was nearly untouchable. She posted an 8-1 record, including a 6-1 mark in conference play, tying for the most wins at that spot in the SLC. She opened the year with five straight victories and rarely found herself in trouble, dropping the first set just twice all season at No. 4. Only one of her matches went the distance to a third set, which she won.

Head coach Marcos Morelli credited her competitive edge and presence within the lineup.

"Her competitive mindset, she is a great competitor, handles adversity with character, and is a great teammate," Morelli said.

She also made her presence felt in doubles alongside Athina Grigoriadou, earning All-SLC honors at the No. 3 position.

The duo went 10-4 overall and 6-2 in conference play, stringing together three separate three-match winning streaks throughout the season. Their résumé included conference wins over Texas A&M-CC, New Orleans, Nicholls, Southeastern, Lamar and UIW, along with non-conference victories against Xavier (La.), Jackson State, Tyler Junior College and Louisiana.

On the freshman class as a whole, Morelli pointed to their adjustment to the college level as a key factor in their success.

"The three freshmen adapted to the college environment, they bought into the process, and their consistency is a consequence of their hard work," Morelli said.

Sofi Garcia joined Acebedo as an All-SLC selection in singles, earning honors at the No. 5 spot after a dominant campaign. Garcia went 7-1 at No. 5 and 8-1 in conference play, consistently delivering in key moments for the Lady Demons.

She opened the season with five consecutive wins at her position, a stretch that included a match-clinching victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and wins against UTRGV, New Orleans, Nicholls and McNeese. Garcia showed resilience in tougher matches, picking up a three-set win over McNeese's Erica Hagi while also defeating Stephen F. Austin's Ana Paula Chavez in straight sets. Impressively, she dropped the first set just once all season at No. 5.

Morelli highlighted her steadiness and presence in the lineup.

"Her resilience, and her leadership. She leads by example day in and day out," Morelli said.

Garcia also earned All-SLC recognition in doubles, teaming with Honoka Umeda at the No. 1 position. The pair finished 6-5 overall and 6-3 in conference play, securing key wins over New Orleans, Nicholls and McNeese during a three-match winning streak. One of their signature victories came against Stephen F. Austin's Sonja Rooth and Felicia Back in a 7-6 (7-0) decision.

Morelli credited the pairing's development and chemistry throughout the year.

"Honoka and Sofi have had a good process, both of them have shown great leadership," Morelli said.

When reflecting on the team's overall success and recognition, Morelli pointed to the group's effort and energy throughout the season.

"Their hard work, and their enthusiasm to compete," Morelli said.

UIW's Estefania Gonzalez was named Southland Conference Player of the Year, while Southeastern's Paige Duncan earned Newcomer of the Year honors. McNeese head coach Sonia Carlson was selected as the league's Coach of the Year.

2026 All-Conference Honors

Women's Awards
Player of the Year: Estefania Gonzalez, UIW
Newcomer of the Year: Paige Duncan, Southeastern
Freshman of the Year: Martina Acebedo Bonocore, Northwestern State
Coach of the Year: Sonia Carlson, McNeese
 
First Team
No. 1 Singles: Estefania Gonzalez, UIW
No. 2 Singles: Yana Mykytyn, A&M-Corpus Christi
No. 3 Singles: Kseniya Ramanouskaya, A&M-Corpus Christi
No. 4 Singles: Ana Hollweg, McNeese
No. 5 Singles: Erica Hagi, McNeese
No 6 Singles: Elena Morales, McNeese
No. 1 Doubles: Estefania Gonzalez and Ine Lamprecht, UIW
No. 2 Doubles: Salome Fluri and Erica Hagi, McNeese
No. 3 Doubles: Ana Hollweg and Naomi Hagi, McNeese
 
Second Team
No. 1 Singles: Fleur Sprengers, New Orleans
No. 2 Singles: Kateryna Kalistratova, New Orleans
No. 3 Singles: Ksenia Mamontova, SFA
No. 4 Singles: Martina Acebedo Bonocore, Northwestern State
No. 5 Singles: Sofi Garcia, Northwestern State
No. 6 Singles: Alexandra Mille, UIW
No. 1 Doubles: Sofi Garcia and Honoka Umeda, Northwestern State
No. 2 Doubles: Taisia Bolsova and Aitana Darder, Southeastern
No. 3 Doubles: Martina Acebedo Bonocore and Athina Grigoriadou, Northwestern State