MONROE, La. – The Nicholls State University women's tennis team hit the courts for its first event of the fall and came away with positive results as Stephanie Barnett and Lingfeng Gu, paired together for the first time in tournament play, won the Flight A Doubles draw in the Warhawk Fall Tennis Tournament, besting teams from Stephen F. Austin, McNeese and LA Tech.
 
The duo won the first two matches, 6-3 and 6-4, before going on to take the title with a 6-2 win over LA Tech's Manjon/Dravcova.
 
"Ling played line No. 1 last season gaining a lot of experience and teaming her up with Stephanie (former Southland Conference Player of the Year), who made her return to the courts after missing all last season due to injury, and you have a formidable pair that can compete against any team at any level," head coach Greg Harkins said. "It was great to watch them in action and I was proud of how they represented for the program, University and themselves. It was high-level play that will help us as we continue to grow as a team."
 
The Nicholls squad brought a young and talented squad to the tournament with five of the six players being underclassman. The Colonels played against top notch regional/state talent from conferences USA, Sunbelt and the Southland.
 
"We had some competitive play from the ladies this weekend, but there is a lot of room for improvement which is what we emphasize in the fall. We are inconsistent as a whole and will continue to work on our decision making processes which comes with a young squad," Harkins said. "We aren't afraid to compete, I saw some great intensity from sophomore Mariia Kozachok and freshman Marina Vigil. The results will come with hard work and discipline, I am encouraged by what I saw this weekend and excited for us when we return to the courts Oct. 6-7 for the Southland Fall Championships in New Orleans at UNO."
 
For the latest news on Colonel women's tennis, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_WTEN.
 
DOUBLES
Flight A
Gu/Barnett def. Gularte/Kamel (SFA), 6-3
Gu/Barnett def. Floretti/Brett (McNeese), 6-4
Gu/Barnett def. Manjon/Dravcova (LA Tech), 6-2 – Championship
 
Flight B
Lorenzo/Luz (LA Tech) def. Kuzevanova/Kozachok , 6-1
Wei/Vigil def. Rizea/Rada (ULM), 6-1
Carra/Moreno (McNeese) def. Wei/Vigil, 6-4 – Championship
 
SINGLES
Draw 2
Chen (LA Tech) def. Gu, 6-1, 6-0
Mastilovic (McNeese) def. Gu, 6-2, 6-2
Vigil def. Rizea (ULM), 6-2, 6-2
Chitdara (McNeese) def. Vigil, 6-0, 6-1
Tiboldia (SFA) def. Vigil, 6-2, 7-6
 
Draw 3
Kamal (SFA) def. Wei, 6-2, 2-6, 13-11
Lorenzo (LA Tech) def. Wei, 6-1, 6-1
Ljubic (SFA) def. Wei, 6-2, 6-0
 
Draw 4
Kozachok def. Cerdan (SFA) Default
Kozachok def. Perez (LA Tech) 6-3, 7-5
Moreno (McNeese) def. Kozachok, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 (8)