THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University women's team knocked off Central Arkansas in two of the three doubles matches to take an early lead, but the Bears clawed back in singles play to hand Nicholls a 5-2 setback Saturday afternoon at the Colonel Tennis Complex.
 
Nicholls started the day by winning court 1 in doubles. UCA took No. 2 before the Colonels closed out doubles competition with at win at No. 3 by Andrea Mastrippolito and Ambika Pande. In singles play, UCA swept the bottom half of the lineup to take the lead, but Clemence Krug kept Nicholls alive with a straight-set win on court 2.
 
UCA clinched the match after Pande fell in an intense second set at 3 against QiLa Ma. After tying at 6-6, Ma went on to win the tiebreaker, 10-5, to pick up the straight-set victory.
 
"It was an intense battle and another tough match against one of the top teams in the conference. We're a young team and we're growing, and today we put ourselves in position to win," said Nicholls head coach Greg Harkins. "But we still need to grow and make good decisions in those tough situations when adversity sets in. I have to give UCA credit, they made good decisions in those situations and that's where we're going to get better. I'm always proud of our girls and their effort, but I want us to play a whole match from beginning to end."
 
Krug was perfect on the day, teaming up with Lingfend Gu for a 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles to start the afternoon. In singles, Krug rallied back in the first set against Hee-Jin Oh to win 7-5 and went on to take the second, 6-3.
 
Gu nearly went unscathed as well but after forcing a tiebreaker on the No. 1 court, she was outlasted by Pornpawee Pramethong, 7-5, 5-7, 10-3.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Colonels will head to Sam Houston State on Saturday, April 8 for their next match. First serve in Hunstville is scheduled for 11 a.m.