THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's tennis team continued its winning ways as the Colonels shutout Central Arkansas, 7-0, in Southland Conference action on Monday at the Colonel Tennis Complex to improve to 5-0 in league play.
 
The win over UCA (7-2, 2-2 SLC) pushed the Colonels' winning streak to seven matches, improving their record to 11-2 on the year. Nicholls has dominated play in the Southland so far, winning its five matches by a combined score of 30-5.
 
Nicholls won the doubles point after winning on courts No. 1 and 3. The duo of Stephanie Barnett / Klara Skopac took the No. 1 court, 8-2, while Kateryna Nakonechna and Isla Brock won at No. 3 by the same score. With the point secured for the Colonels, No. 2's match went unfinished.
 
In singles, the Colonels tallied shutouts in four sets, including one each in the top two matches. Barnett was the first player to win as she disposed of Nataly Yoo, 6-3, 6-0 on the No. 1 court, and Brock gave Nicholls a 3-0 lead after winning 6-2, 6-0 over Amanda Alvarez at No. 6.
 
The match clincher came on the No. 3 court as Marie Aubert put Kristiana Horsikyan away with a 6-1, 6-2 decision. Skopac secured the Colonels' final straight-set win with a 6-0, 6-2 triumph over Kelsey Williams on the No. 2 court.
 
With the team victory already decided, neither team wanted to give up the final two points as courts 4 and 5 played into three sets. Milou Pietersz bounced back from a 6-3 loss in the first set against Allison Murphy to even the No. 4 match with a 6-1 second-set victory. The two battled out in a tiebreaker, with Pietersz outlasting her opponent, 14-12, to push the lead to 6-0.
 
On the No. 5 court, Katia Jordan won 6-0 in the first set against Cassidy Crawford, but Crawford fought back with a 6-4 win. In the third set, Jordan would complete the shutout for the Colonels with a 6-3 victory.
 
Nicholls will put its winning streak on the line on Wednesday, March 25, in Baton Rouge as the Colonels will make up their match against No. 49 LSU. The teams were scheduled to play earlier this season but the match was postponed due to weather.
 
Nicholls 7, Central Arkansas 0
 
Singles
1. Stephanie Barnett (NICH) def. Nataly Yoo (UCA) 6-3, 6-0
2. Klara Skopac (NICH) def. Kelsey Williams (UCA) 6-0, 6-2
3. Marie Aubert (NICH) def. Kristina Horsikyan (UCA) 6-1, 6-2
4. Milou Pietersz (NICH) def. Allison Murphy (UCA) 3-6, 6-1, 14-12
5. Katia Jordan (NICH) def. Cassidy Crawford (UCA) 6-0, 4-6, 6-3
6. Isla Brock (NICH) def. Amanda Alvarez (UCA) 6-2, 6-0
 
Doubles
1. Stephanie Barnett/Klara Skopac (NICH) def. Nataly Yoo/Cassidy Crawford (UCA) 8-2
2. Marie Aubert/Milou Pietersz (NICH) vs. Kelsey Williams/Allison Murphy (UCA) 6-5, unfinished
3. Kateryna Nakonechna/Isla Brock (NICH) def. Kristina Horsikyan/Bianca Strukelj (UCA) 8-2
 
Match Notes:
Central Arkansas 7-2, 2-2 SLC
Nicholls 11-2, 5-0 SLC
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (1,6,3,2,4,5)