THIBODAUX, La. – The No. 75 Nicholls State University women's tennis team traveled to the Carolinas for three matches over the weekend and came away unscathed, defeating UNC Asheville, USC Upstate and Presbyterian.

The Colonels (5-3) had their toughest match of the trip on Friday in a 4-3 win over UNC Asheville (5-2). Despite a win on the No. 2 court by Stephanie Barnett and Klara Skopac, Nicholls dropped the doubles point after a close 8-7 decision on the No. 3 court.

Needing to make up ground in singles, the Colonels got wins from Barnett (No. 1), Kateryna Nakonechna (No. 3), Skopac (No. 4) and Isla Brock (No. 5) to take the match.

"The girls did a fabulous job playing as a team and sometimes doing the simple things that are asked of you as a team goes a long way in helping you win matches together as a team , " said Nicholls tennis head coach Meenakshi Sundaram. "I'm extremely proud of my ladies today as they are always a class act and continue to get better with every match."

Against a shorthanded lineup versus USC Upstate on Saturday, the Colonels made quick work of their opposition with a 4-1 victory. Needing to win only one doubles match for the point, Brock and Emma Kranendonk won 8-4 on the No. 2 court.

After receiving another point with no opponent at the No. 6 spot, the Colonels clinched the match when Brock and Nakonechna won in straight sets at the No. 5 and 3 positions, respectively.

Also on Saturday, Nicholls closed out the trip with a 4-0 shutout over Presbyterian. Following two wins in doubles to lead 1-0, Marie Aubert, Brock and Kranendonk all posted dominating victories to end the match. Kranendonk earned a shutout at No. 6, Brock took her court 6-1, 6-0 and Aubert won at No. 2 by a score of 6-1 in each set.

The Colonels will return home to face rival McNeese in their conference opener on Sunday, March 9 at 11 a.m.

#75 Nicholls 4, UNC Asheville 3
Singles competition
1. #61 Stephanie Barnett (NICH) def. HAMEL, Zoe (ASHW) 7-6, 6-3
2. RIVERO, Erica (ASHW) def. Marie Aubert (NICH) 7-5, 6-2
3. Kateryna Nakonechna (NICH) def. SOLDIER, Amryn (ASHW) 6-2, 7-6
4. Klara Skopac (NICH) def. BOISSEVAIN, Christin (ASHW) 6-3, 7-5
5. Isla Brock (NICH) def. LEWIS, Gillian (ASHW) 7-5, 6-1
6. McNALL, Emily (ASHW) def. Eva Castiglioni (NICH) 6-2, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. HAMEL, Zoe/RIVERO, Erica (ASHW) def. Emma Kranendonk/Isla Brock (NICH) 8-3
2. Stephanie Barnett/Klara Skopac (NICH) def. BOISSEVAIN, Christin/SOLDIER, Amryn (ASHW) 8-5
3. McNALL, Emily/LEWIS, Gillian (ASHW) def. Marie Aubert/Kateryna Nakonechna (NICH) 8-7

Match Notes:
Nicholls 3-3; National ranking #75
UNC Asheville 5-2
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles ()

#75 Nicholls 4, USC Upstate 1
Singles competition
1. VON STRYK, Isabel (UPSTWTN) def. Stephanie Barnett (NICH) 7-5, 6-3
2. ZOSKE, Anna (UPSTWTN) vs. Marie Aubert (NICH) unfinished
3. Kateryna Nakonechna (NICH) def. COHEN, Taylor (UPSTWTN) 6-4, 7-5
4. VANDE BERG, Sarah (UPSTWTN) vs. Klara Skopac (NICH) unfinished
5. Isla Brock (NICH) def. BUENGER, Lindsey (UPSTWTN) 6-3, 6-3
6. Emma Kranendonk (NICH) def. No player (UPSTWTN), by default

Doubles competition
1. VON STRYK, Isabel/ZOSKE, Anna (UPSTWTN) def. Stephanie Barnett/Klara Skopac (NICH) 8-5
2. Isla Brock/Emma Kranendonk (NICH) def. COHEN, Taylor/VANDE BERG, Sarah (UPSTWTN) 8-4
3. Kateryna Nakonechna/Marie Aubert (NICH) def. No player/No player (UPSTWTN), by default

Match Notes:
Nicholls 4-3; National ranking #75
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (5,1,3)

#75 Nicholls 4, Presbyterian College 0
Singles competition
1. GARDINER, Courtney (PCW) vs. #61 Stephanie Barnett (NICH) 3-6, 1-4, unfinished
2. Marie Aubert (NICH) def. deLOACH, Caroline (PCW) 6-1, 6-1
3. ALVES, Patricia (PCW) vs. Kateryna Nakonechna (NICH) 3-6, 3-5, unfinished
4. LEAHY, Lucia (PCW) vs. Klara Skopac (NICH) 6-2, 0-6, unfinished
5. Isla Brock (NICH) def. STANFORD, Kayla (PCW) 6-1, 6-0
6. Emma Kranendonk (NICH) def. CONZE, Antonia (PCW) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Klara Skopac/Stephanie Barnett (NICH) def. ALVES, Patricia/GARDINER, Courtney (PCW) 8-4
2. Isla Brock/Emma Kranendonk (NICH) def. deLOACH, Caroline/STANFORD, Kayla (PCW) 8-2
3. LEAHY, Lucia/CONZE, Antonia (PCW) vs. Marie Aubert/Kateryna Nakonechna (NICH) 0-6, unfinished

Match Notes:
Nicholls 5-3; National ranking #75
Presbyterian College 3-7-1
T-2:30 A-58