NEW ORLEANS, La. - The No. 5 Nicholls State University women's tennis team started its appearance in the Southland Conference Tournament with a victory in doubles against NJIT, but the Colonels came up short in singles as the Highlanders advanced with a 4-1 victory Friday afternoon at the University Tennis Center.

With the loss, Nicholls finished its season with a 12-11 overall record. NJIT (11-7) advances to play top-seed Northwestern State.

NJIT won the first match in doubles at No. 2, but Nicholls rallied by taking courts 1 and 3. Jessie Mount and Laura Lopez squeaked out a 7-5 victory on the top court before Morgan Forshag and Sophia Sara Safarova secured the point with a 6-4 win. 
 
But in singles, the Highlanders proceeded to clinch the match earning victories in their top four flights.
 
Joleta Budman tied the match after a straight set 6-3, 6-0 win vs. Carla Bouygues at No. 4 and Aya El Sayed put NJIT ahead for good after a 6-1, 7-5 straight set victory on court one against Simona Maksimovic. 
 
Amira Badawi sealed the deal in a 4-1 victory for the Highlanders going the distance on court two, 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, against Mount.