NACOGDOCHES, Texas  – The Nicholls women's tennis team lost a close match Saturday at Stephen F. Austin, falling to the Ladyjacks 4-3 at the Schlief Tennis Complex.

Nicholls (8-12, 1-5) has lost its last four matches. The Colonels wrap up the weekend tomorrow at Northwestern State. First serve is scheduled for 10 a.m.

The Colonels struggled in doubles play against SFA (9-4, 4-2), losing all three matches to fall behind 1-0. Rachel Howie/Catherine Gauthier (No. 3) lost 8-1, followed by a 8-5 setback by Marie Aubert/Eva Castiglioni (No. 2). Natalia Cardiff/Isla Brock had the closest match for the Colonels, dropping the No. 1 match 9-7.

In singles action, Nicholls managed to win three of the matches, but it wasn't until Stephen F. Austin had already clinched the match by winning the No. 6, 3, and 4 pairings. At No. 5, Isla Brock earned a three-set victory, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, before Cardiff took the No. 1 match by default with a 4-6, 7-5. Rounding out the match was Aubert at No. 2, winning 7-6, 1-6, 10-5.

Stephen F. Austin 4, Nicholls 3
Singles competition
1. Natalia Cardiff (NICH) def. Malena Gordo (SFA) 4-6, 7-5, 99-0
2. Marie Aubert (NICH) def. Julia Lorca (SFA) 7-6, 1-6, 10-5
3. Margot de Haan (SFA) def. Eva Castiglioni (NICH) 6-3, 6-2
4. Kateryna Bugayenko (SFA) def. Rachel Howie (NICH) 6-3, 6-3
5. Isla Brock (NICH) def. Valeria Terentyeva (SFA) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
6. Laura Servise (SFA) def. Catherine Gauthier (NICH) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Malena Gordo/Julia Lorca (SFA) def. Natalia Cardiff/Isla Brock (NICH) 9-7
2. Margot de Haan/Laura Servise (SFA) def. Marie Aubert/Eva Castiglioni (NICH) 8-5
3. Kateryna Bugayenko/Valeria Terentyeva (SFA) def. Rachel Howie/Catherine Gauthier (NICH) 8-1

Match Notes:
Nicholls 8-12/1-5 SLC
Stephen F. Austin 9-9/4-2 SLC
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,3,4,5,1,2)
T-4:05 A-42