LAFAYETTE, La. – After dropping their first conference match of the season on Monday, the Nicholls State University women's tennis team quickly recovered by defeating in-state Louisiana-Lafayette, 6-1, on Tuesday at the Cajun Courts.
The Colonels (14-4) took two out of the three doubles matches to go up 1-0 before winning the No. 2 through 6 courts. Three of the victories came in straight sets, with the other two wins coming after first-set losses.
In doubles, the Colonels fell behind after dropping the No. 2 match, but
Stephanie Barnett and
Klara Skopac evened it up with an 8-6 win at No. 1. With the point up for grabs,
Kateryna Nakonechna and
Isla Brock clinched the point with an 8-5 win at No. 1.
Emma Kranendonk then gave Nicholls a 2-1 lead after making quick work of Lauren Dupuis on the No. 6 court with a 6-1, 6-0 victory.
Marie Aubert and
Milou Pietersz also won in straight sets, taking the No. 3 and 4 courts, respectively.
In the No. 1 match, Ragin' Cajun Kelly Drew outlasted
Stephanie Barnett, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5, to give ULL their only point of the day. Skopac also went three sets in her match, but she came out on top with a 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Nelo Phiri at No. 2 to clinch the team win. Nakonechna wrapped up the day with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 5 against Abby Johnson.
The Colonels will return to conference play on Friday, April 3, as they host Abilene Christian at 10:30 a.m.
Nicholls 6, Louisiana 1 Singles
1. Drew, Kelly (UL) def. Stephanie Barnett (NICH) 6-2, 6-7, 7-5
2. Klara Skopac (NICH) def. Phiri, Nelo (UL) 5-7, 6-1, 6-4
3. Marie Aubert (NICH) def. Sava, Elena (UL) 6-1, 6-4
4. Milou Pietersz (NICH) def. Way, Alexandra (UL) 7-6, 6-4
5. Kateryna Nakonechna (NICH) def. Johnson, Abby (UL) 5-7, 6-3, 6-3
6. Emma Kranendonk (NICH) def. Dupuis, Lauren (UL) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
1. Stephanie Barnett/Klara Skopac (NICH) def. Phiri, Nelo/Sava, Elena (UL) 8-6
2. Way, Alexandra/Johnson, Abby (UL) def. Milou Pietersz/Marie Aubert (NICH) 8-5
3. Kateryna Nakonechna/Isla Brock (NICH) def. Drew, Kelly/Dupuis, Lauren (UL) 8-5
Match Notes:
Nicholls 14-4
Louisiana 3-14
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (6,3,4,1,2,5)
T-4:25 A-35
