NACOGDOCHES, Texas – With first place on the line, the Nicholls State University women's tennis team came up short in doubles against Stephen F. Austin, but the Colonels put together a strong showing in singles to hand the Ladyjacks their first loss in conference as Nicholls claimed a 4-3 victory at the Schlief Tennis Complex on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Colonels (17-4, 9-1 SLC) now control their own destiny for the Southland Conference regular season championship with only one match remaining. With a win over Southeastern Louisiana in its home finale on Sunday, April 19, Nicholls would secure at least a share of the title, which would be their first since 1995.
 
Stephen F. Austin (13-6, 7-1 SLC) get off to a great start as Nicholls lost the doubles point for only the second time in conference play this season. The Ladyjacks won the No. 3 court as Kateryna Nakonechna and Isla Brock fell, 8-2, but Stephanie Barnett and Klara Skopac came back with an 8-4 victory at No. 1. On the decisive No. 2 court, Julia Lorca and Denise Maxl would secure the point for SFA with an 8-4 win over Marie Aubert and Milou Pietersz.
 
Despite falling in doubles, Pietersz came back strong in singles on the No. 4 court by defeating Dhanielly Quevedo in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, to even the match. Skopac then put the Colonels in front as she defeated Maxl, 6-2, 6-0, on the No. 2 court, and Barnett stayed undefeated in Southland play at No. 1 with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Melena Gordo.
 
Needing just one more point for the victory, the Colonels came up short in the next two completed matches as SFA clawed back to even the score at 3-3. Aubert was defeated on the No. 3 court by Vivienne Kulicke, 6-2, 6-4, while Nakonechna fell to Valeria Terentyeva on the No. 5 court, 6-3, 7-6 (4).
 
The match came down to the No. 6 court, with SFA's Lorca defeating Brock in the first set, 6-3. Brock, who entered the match undefeated in singles in Southland competition this season, fought back to even it up with a 6-3 victory in the second set and went on to clinch the team victory with another 6-3 win in the final set.
 
Nicholls will close out the regular season on April 19 at home against the rival Lady Lions. The Colonels will honor Aubert and Nakonechna before the match, with first serve scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
Nicholls 4, Stephen F. Austin 3
 
Singles
1. Stephanie Barnett (NICH) def. Malena Gordo (SFA) 6-4, 6-2
2. Klara Skopac (NICH) def. Denise Maxl (SFA) 6-2, 6-0
3. Vivienne Kulicke (SFA) def. Marie Aubert (NICH) 6-2, 6-4
4. Milou Pietersz (NICH) def. Dhanielly Quevedo (SFA) 6-2, 6-1
5. Valeria Terentyeva (SFA) def. Kateryna Nakonechna (NICH) 6-3, 7-6 (10-4)
6. Isla Brock (NICH) def. Julia Lorca (SFA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
 
Doubles
1. Stephanie Barnett/Klara Skopac (NICH) def. Malena Gordo/Dhanielly Quevedo (SFA) 8-4
2. Julia Lorca/Denise Maxl (SFA) def. Marie Aubert/Milou Pietersz (NICH) 8-4
3. Valeria Terentyeva/Vivienne Kulicke (SFA) def. Kateryna Nakonechna/Isla Brock (NICH) 8-2
 
Match Notes:
Nicholls 17-4, 9-1 SLC
Stephen F. Austin 13-6, 7-1 SLC
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (4,2,1,3,5,6)