NAchitoches, La. (WNTZ) – Northwestern State will launch its fall tournament schedule Thursday at the Diving Eagle Invitational, with head coach Marcos Morelli eager to see how his team measures up in early-season competition.

The four-day event at the Waranch Tennis Complex marks the start of Morelli’s third year leading the Lady Demons, who are looking to build on a strong spring campaign.

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“I expect them to compete hard,” Morelli said. “I expect them to be disciplined and to maintain great body language.”

Morelli praised the team’s leadership structure heading into the fall, noting a strong group of veterans, an emerging middle class, and four new players who have shown energy and work ethic.

Freshmen Martina Acebedo Bonocore, Athina Grigoriadou, Lolita Hukasian and Lija Mumlek will make their NSU debuts, joining experienced returners Maria Farina, Zoi Spyrou and Honoka Umeda.

“They’ve all been great additions,” Morelli said of the newcomers. “They’ve been working very hard, and we’re slowly getting them to understand our standards and how we do things.”

While fall tournaments don’t count toward dual-match records, Morelli said the matches are crucial for player development, especially for those transitioning from junior tennis to the college level.

“In juniors, sometimes you can get away with just being talented,” Morelli said. “In college, everyone is talented, and everyone fights. These events are a great test for them to realize that.”

Beyond on-court performance, Morelli emphasized the fall season helps the Lady Demons build cohesion that will carry into the spring.

“If we don’t have a good fall, we won’t have a good spring,” he said. “The travel, the dinners, and the time together make us stronger and more united, which ultimately helps us perform better as a team.”