THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's tennis team claimed the doubles point against Sam Houston State, but despite taking the first set in the top two singles matches the Colonels were able to come up with just one victory as they fell 5-2 to the Bearkats on Friday afternoon at the Colonel Tennis Complex.
 
Nicholls (3-8, 0-2) was a player short for the fifth consecutive match, resulting in default losses in No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles. However, the Colonels made up the difference in doubles by winning both matches to take a 1-0 lead.
 
Milou Pietersz and Julia Melendez won on the No. 1 court, 6-2, against Mila Milanovic and Carrie Casey. Isla Brock and Laia Charles then clinched the point with a 6-4 win over Fabienne Gettwart / Khee Yen Wee.
 
With the match tied at 1-1 heading in singles, Sam Houston grabbed a 3-1 lead as Clemence Krug and Charles were defeated in straight sets.  Playing at No. 1 for the first time this season, Melendez started off strong with a 6-2 win over Gettwart before dropping the next two, 6-2, 6-3. Pietersz also won 6-2 in her first set on the No. 2 court, but was defeated in three sets by Casey.
 
Although the match was already decided, Brock shook off a first-set loss on the No. 4 court against Khee Yen Wee to pick up her fifth win of the year.
 
The Colonels will continue conference play with a home match on Saturday against Lamar. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m.
 
Sam Houston State 5, Nicholls 2
Singles
1. Fabienne Gettwart (SHSU) def. Julia Melendez (NICH) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
2. Carrie Casey (SHSU) def. Milou Pietersz (NICH) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
3. Ema Barkovic (SHSU) def. Clemence Krug (NICH) 7-6, 6-1
4. Isla Brock (NICH) def. Khee Yen Wee (SHSU) 1-6, 6-2, 6-1
5. Mila Milanovic (SHSU) def. Laia Charles (NICH) 6-3, 7-5
6. Maddie Mortimore (SHSU) def. No player (NICH), by default
 
Doubles
1. Milou Pietersz/Julia Melendez (NICH) def. Mila Milanovic/Carrie Casey (SHSU) 6-2
2. Isla Brock/Laia Charles (NICH) def. Fabienne Gettwart/Khee Yen Wee (SHSU) 6-4
3. Ema Barkovic/Caitlyn Mitchell (SHSU) def. No player/No player (NICH), by default
 
Match Notes:
Sam Houston State University 6-5, 1-2
Nicholls 3-8, 0-2
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (3,5,1,2,4)