The Northwestern tennis team had a successful opening day Wednesday as the Southland Conference Fall Masters commenced at the Lady Demons Tennis Complex, featuring both women’s and men’s singles and doubles play.
Juniors Maria Farina and Honoka Umeda mounted a 2-set comeback, winning the second set 6-3, and finishing off their foes from Nicholls in the final set, prevailing in a 12-10 thriller.
Farina and Umeda will play SFA’s reigning SLC champions, Jemma Cave and Ksenia Mamontova, today at 11 a.m.
In singles action, senior Zoi Spyrou outlasted Nicholls’ Noemie Piquet 6-0, 5-7, 6-4.
Second-year Lady Demons’ coach Marcos Morelli was thrilled with how his players bounced back
“I think that is why they won,” says Morelli. “They played to win; they wanted to win. I do think they need to commit to the process more. At this level, if you’re not doing the right things, you will find yourself down and losing very quickly.”
The Fall Masters continues as mens’ competition kicks off at 9 a.m. today, with the Lady Demons pairing beginning at 11 a.m., and Spyrou following at 3 p.m.
“We want to play against the best,” says Morelli. “We are excited for the opportunity. We’re going to play to win. Commit to the process, and let’s see what happens.
