HAMMOND, La. - Redshirt junior Stephanie Barnett continued her comeback tour with a dominating straight-set victory against New Orleans, but it would be the only point for the Colonels in an opening 4-1 setback at the George E. Fourmaux Fed Cup Invitational.

Barnett, who missed the previous two seasons due to injury, won 6-3 and 7-6 (7-4) against UNO's Brittany Johnson. It was another strong performance for the Melbourne, Australia native this fall after she earned a doubles title at ULM in September. 

Lingfeng Gu nearly escaped with a win versus Yurina Asia but was defeated in a three-set thriller. The duo split the first two sets by a two-point margin in each before Asai outlasted Gu in the third, 11-9. 

Marina Vigil and Anastasia Kuzevanova also competed in singles, falling in straight sets. In doubles play, Changwei Wei/Mariia Kozachok was handed a 6-0, 6-3 loss by Anja Luethi/Trang Dao.

The Colonels will continue play in the cup with matches against Lamar and Loyola New Orleans on Saturday.

RESULTS - UNO 4, Nicholls 1
Singles:
Stephanie Barnett (NICH) def. Brittany Johnson (UNO) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
Yurina Asai (UNO) def. Lingfeng Gu (NICH) 6-4, 5-7, 11-9
Claudette Gilhespie (UNO) def. Marina Vigil (NICH) 6-2, 6-3
Mar Gendra (UNO) def. Anastasia Kuzevanova (NICH) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles:
Anja Luethi/Trang Dao (UNO) def. Changwei Wei/Mariia Kozachok (NICH) 6-0, 6-3

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Saturday, Nov. 4
11 a.m. – Lamar vs. Nicholls – Southeastern Tennis Complex
4 p.m. – Nicholls vs. Loyola (N.O.) – Oak Knoll Country Club

Sunday, Nov. 5
9 a.m. – TBA vs. TBA – Oak Knoll Country Club
9 a.m. – TBA vs. TBA – Southeastern Tennis Complex
12 p.m. – TBA vs. TBA – Oak Knoll Country Club
12 p.m. – TBA vs. TBA – Southeastern Tennis Complex