THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's tennis team opened its 2016 home schedule with a thrilling 4-3 victory over instate rival Louisiana Tech on Saturday at the Colonel Tennis Complex.
 
After dropping the doubles point, Nicholls (1-1) fought back to even the score in singles at 3-all after straight set wins by Stephanie Barnett, Julia Melendez and Isla Brock. The decision came down to the No. 2 court where Milou Pietersz gave the Colonels the victory after defeating Zoe Chen, 7-6 (7-3), 1-6, 7-5.
 
"Today's match was as close as we could get to a nail-biter conference match and to come out ahead against an extremely talented and well coached LA Tech team is a real credit to the will and resilience of the girls on our team," said Nicholls Tennis head coach Meenakshi Sundaram. "Despite losing the doubles point, it was nice to see the girls believing in their strengths without being reminded about them to come out and get it done in singles.
 
Trailing 1-0 after doubles, Nicholls needed to make up the deficit in singles. Brock made quick work of Manoela Chiacchio before Melendez gave the Colonels the lead with a win on the No. 4 court against marta Sramkova. Jazmin Britos pulled the match even for LA Tech (0-1) as she evened it up with a win over Clemence Krug.
 
On the No. 1 court, Barnett defeated Alexandra Starkova in straight sets before the Lady Techsters answered with at No. 5 as Laia Charles fell in straight sets, setting up the deciding match at No. 2.
 
"Just when you think Barnett and Brock can't play any better, they take it to another level when they have to," Sundaram said. "It was good to see Julia get after it in singles and come out of her shell to play her real game. Clem and Laia did well to keep us in the match and kept the pressure on by staying out there as long as it took. The day however belonged to Milou this time as she grinded a tough one out. This will do wonders for her confidence to be the clutch player when we need her. We still have a lot of work to do so it's back to the drawing board next practice, but we will enjoy this win today against a very strong LA Tech team."
 
Nicholls will return to action next Saturday at Tulane. First serve is scheduled for 10 a.m.
 
Nicholls 4, Louisiana Tech 3
Singles
1. Stephanie Barnett (NICH) def. Alexandra Starkova (LT) 6-4, 7-6 (7-1)
2. Milou Pietersz (NICH) def. Zoe Chen (LT) 7-6 (7-3), 1-6, 7-5
3. Jazmin Britos (LT) def. Clemence Krug (NICH) 6-1, 6-4
4. Julia Melendez (NICH) def. Marta Sramkova (LT) 6-3, 6-3
5. Alba Escalona Perny (LT) def. Laia Charles (NICH) 6-3, 6-4
6. Isla Brock (NICH) def. Manoela Chiacchio (LT) 6-1, 6-0
 
Doubles
1. Alexandra Starkova/Zoe Chen (LT) def. Stephanie Barnett/Clemence Krug (NICH) 6-3
2. Julia Melendez/Milou Pietersz (NICH) vs. Marta Sramkova/Jazmin Britos (LT) 6-5, unfinished
3. Taly Merker/Manoela Chiacchio (LT) def. Isla Brock/Laia Charles (NICH) 7-5
 
Match Notes:
Louisiana Tech 0-1
Nicholls 1-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (6,4,3,1,5,2)