Northwestern State falls to Rhode Island despite strong doubles performance

NATCHITOCHES, La. (WNTZ) – Despite a dominant showing in doubles play, the Northwestern State Lady Demons fell 4-2 to Rhode Island on Tuesday afternoon at the Jack Fisher Lady Demon Complex.

Northwestern State (4-6) secured the doubles point with back-to-back victories but struggled in singles action, hindered by injuries and key setbacks.

“I think it was a good match,” head coach Marcos Morelli said. “I’m proud of how the other team competed and the fight they showed in key moments.”

Playing shorthanded, the Lady Demons needed to sweep doubles play to claim the opening point, and they delivered. The duo of Zoi Spyrou and Honoka Umeda mounted an impressive comeback in the No. 1 doubles match, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to defeat Nikki Fernando and Katharina Spieth, 7-5. Pika Doberlet and Maria Farina displayed strong chemistry at No. 2 doubles, cruising to a 6-2 victory over Grace Darcy and Anastasia Pettersson.

However, with only five available players, NSU was forced to forfeit the No. 6 singles match, giving the Rams (9-2) an automatic point and a 2-1 lead when Farina was forced to withdraw from her singles match.

Spyrou battled through long rallies but ultimately fell to Spieth at No. 1 singles, 6-4, 6-1, extending URI’s lead to 3-1. At No. 5 singles, Ortega fought hard but fell 6-3, 6-1 to Pettersson, securing the match for the Rams.

Umeda delivered NSU’s lone singles victory, controlling the second set for a 7-5, 6-1 win over Sophie Herrman at No. 2 singles. Doberlet was in the middle of a tightly contested match against Darcy, having claimed a first-set tiebreaker 7-6 (7-0) and leading 3-2 in the second when play was left unfinished.

“Every match is important,” Morelli said. “Each one is an opportunity to improve. Today, we needed to be more consistent in singles, but overall, I’m proud of the girls. They competed hard and gave great effort.”

The Lady Demons look to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to Stephenville, Texas, to face Tarleton State at 11 a.m.

Rhode Island 4, Northwestern State 2

Jack Fisher Lady Demon Complex – Natchitoches, La.

Singles

1. Katharina Spieth (URI) def. Zoi Spyrou (NSU) 6-4, 6-1
2. Honoka Umeda (NSU) def. Sophie Herrman (URI) 7-5, 6-1
3. Nikki Fernando (URI) def. Maria Farina (NSU) 6-1, retired
4. Pika Doberlet (NSU) vs. Grace Darcy (URI) 7-6 (7-0), 3-2, unfinished
5. Anastasia Pettersson (URI) def. Valeria Ortega (NSU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Klara Nelander (URI) def. No player (NSU), by forfeit

Doubles

1. Zoi Spyrou/Honoka Umeda (NSU) def. Nikki Fernando/Katharina Spieth (URI) 7-5
2. Pika Doberlet/Maria Farina (NSU) def. Grace Darcy/Anastasia Pettersson (URI) 6-2

Match Notes
Northwestern State: 4-6
Rhode Island: 9-2
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (1,5,2,4)