BATON ROUGE, La. – Coming off one of the most successful campaigns in program history last season, the Nicholls State University women's tennis team opened its 2016 season at No. 21 LSU and was defeated, 6-1, Saturday afternoon at the brand new LSU Tennis Complex.
 
Last season's Southland Conference Player of the Year Stephanie Barnett was the lone Colonel to earn a point against the nationally ranked Tigers as she grinded out a 7-6 (10-8), 6-2 victory on the No. 2 court against Skylar Kuykendall. Barnett played No. 1 doubles but came up short, 6-2, pairing up with Isla Brock.
 
The Tigers took the doubles point by winning the 1 and 3 courts. Laia Charles and Clemence Krug's were shutout in their match, while Milou Pietersz and Julia Melendez' match at No. 2 went unfinished.
 
In singles action, the home team won courts 1,4,3, and 6 to clinch the match. Pietersz fell at No. 1 against #23 Joana Vale Costa, and Meledez was also ousted by a ranked opponent, #52 Jessica Golovin, on the No. 3 court. Krug was defeated in straight sets at No. 4, as was Brock (No. 5) and Charles (No. 6).

It was a good start to the year despite the results, which don't reflect the good things noticed in the match and the improvement from the girls in the past four months," said Nicholls Tennis head coach Meenakshi Sundaram. "Barnett as always led by example by playing rock solid tennis when she needed even though she was not at her very best. Milou and Julia did a great job in doubles being that this was their first college match together. Clem and Laia played a solid first set in singles but LSU was just too strong in the second. Isla as always is ridiculously difficult to beat and she showed that yet again today why she is one of the best players in the Southland Conference. I was very pleased with how these girls represented Nicholls - no fear, immense self belief and a never say die attitude. This semester looks promising for us and today was a solid indication of that."
 
The Colonels will make their home debut on Saturday, Jan. 23 against Louisiana Tech. First serve at the Colonel Tennis Complex is scheduled for 12 p.m.
 
#21 LSU 6, Nicholls 1
Singles
1. #23 Joana Vale Costa (LSU) def. Milou Pietersz (NICH) 6-0, 6-0
2. Stephanie Barnett (NICH) def. Skylar Kuykendall (LSU) 7-6 (10-8), 6-2
3. #52 Jessica Golovin (LSU) def. Julia Melendez (NICH) 6-1, 6-4
4. Ryann Foster (LSU) def. Clemence Krug (NICH) 7-5, 6-3
5. Abigail Owens (LSU) def. Isla Brock (NICH) 6-3, 6-0
6. Ella Taylor (LSU) def. Laia Charles (NICH) 6-2, 6-0
 
Doubles
1. Joana Vale Costa/Ryann Foster (LSU) def. Isla Brock/Stephanie Barnett (NICH) 6-2
2. Abigail Owens/Skylar Kuykendall (LSU) vs. Julia Melendez/Milou Pietersz (NICH) 3-2, unfinished
3. Skylar Holloway/Ella Taylor (LSU) def. Laia Charles/Clemence Krug (NICH) 6-0
 
Match Notes:
Nicholls 0-1
LSU 1-0; National ranking #21
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (1,4,3,6)
First ever match at the LSU Tennis Complex