DALLAS – The final two days of the SMU Red and Blue Challenge weren’t as kind to Northwestern State as the opening day, but coach Jonas Brobeck said the Lady Demons grew from Saturday’s and Sunday’s matches.

NSU combined to go 2-6 in singles action and 1-1 in doubles play in the final two days after posting an even .500 record on the opening day.

“This is another valuable tournament where our girls got a lot of high-quality matches,” Brobeck said. “We ran out of steam a bit (Sunday), but now we need to quickly rest up and get ready for the ITA Regional Tournament next weekend.”

Sophomore Mariella Minetti closed her tournament with a huge comeback against Texas Tech’s Stepp, rebounding from a 6-1 opening set loss to take the next two 7-5 and 10-7. It’s Minetti’s second win against a Power Five singles or doubles opponent this weekend and NSU’s fourth overall.

Freshman Ayu Ishibashi captured a Saturday victory against Central Arkansas’ Hamanaga (6-2, 6-1).

Minetti and Ishibashi each dropped singles matches during that period as Minietti fell to Wisconsin’s Mukhortova and Ishibashi to Wisconsin’s Larrain.

Freshmen Tjasa Klevisar and Rozalie Dohnalova each fell in a pair of singles matches over the final two days.

Klevisar dropped matches to Texas Tech’s teammates, losing 6-1, 6-4 to Markinov and 6-4, 6-3 to Komac.

Dohnalova lost to Texas Tech’s Peet 6-3, 6-3 and Tyler Junior College’s Anzalotta 6-4, 7-6, (2).

NSU split two doubles matches Saturday.

Dohnalova/Minetti bested UCA’s Ishimura/Vasupongchai 6-2.

Klevisar/Ishibashi fell to Wisconsin’s Mukhartova/Seah 6-3.

CREDIT: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

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