NEW ORLEANS  – The Nicholls State University women's tennis team opened up its spring schedule with a non-conference match against Tulane on Saturday and the Colonels were handed a 4-1 loss at the Hilton Riverside.
 
The match between Nicholls (0-1) and Tulane was originally scheduled to take place at the City Park Tennis Center, but was moved indoors due to inclement weather. No doubles were played as a result.
 
Tulane opened with a win at No. 4 before Stephanie Barnett picked up an impressive straight-set victory on the No. 1 court over Nicky Stracar. Barnett, coming off a 15-6 campaign in singles as a freshman, took the match 6-4, 6-3 to put the Colonels on the board. However, the Green Wave would take courts No. 2, 3 and 5 in order to end the match.
 
"The girls played hard and I'm extremely happy with how they competed aggressively and kept a very positive attitude throughout despite the loss against a very good Tulane team," said Meenaski Sundaram, Nicholls women's tennis head coach. "We showed very good character and are going to get better with every match."
 
Two of the losses came in three sets, including Katia Jordan's battle at No. 3 against Naz Karagoz. Jordan won the first set in extra points, 7-6 (7-3), before almost closing out the match with a 7-5 loss in the second set. Karagoz went on to take the point with a 6-2 win in the final set.  Marie Aubert also proved to be a tough out, dropping the No. 2 match to Ipek Birol, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1.
 
Nicholls will return to the courts on Sunday at Louisiana Tech, with first serve scheduled for 10 a.m.
 
Nicholls vs Tulane
(Hilton - Riverside)
Tulane 4, Nicholls 1
 
Singles
1. Stephanie Barnett (NICH) def. Nicky Stracar (TU) 6-4, 6-3
2. Ipek Birol (TU) def. Marie Aubert (NICH) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
3. Naz Karagoz (TU) def. Katia Jordan (NICH) 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 6-2
4. Vanessa Nommensen (TU) def. Klara Skopac (NICH) 6-1, 6-3
5. Jacqui Katz (TU) def. Milou Pietersz (NICH) 6-1, 6-4
6. Sade Atkinson (TU) vs. Kateryna Nakonechna (NICH) 4-6, 6-2, 1-2, unfinished
 
Match Notes:
Nicholls 0-1
Tulane 3-0
Order of finish: (4,1,2,3,5)