SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's tennis team hosted Northwestern State and Stephen F Austin at the Mabry Tennis Center over the weekend. They dropped a 5-2 decision against the Lady Demons on Saturday and a 6-1 decision against the Ladyjacks on Sunday.

The Cardinals (2-13, 0-2) headed into the match with Northwestern State coming off of a hard fought victory over Tyler Junior College last weekend and were hoping to get another home win against the Lady Demons (5-6, 2-0).
            
Northwestern State started the day earning the doubles point after winning two out of the three matches.  Matea Zemunik and Antea Dedic won their doubles match for the Cardinals for the second week running, but again their efforts were unrewarded.

In the singles competition, Rachel Sadiq came out on top over her opponent Tatiana Larina and continued a strong season at the #1 seed by winning 6-3, 6-3.  The Cardinals earned their second point after Malissa Vatanadilok defeated Barbara Kollarova 6-4, 7-5 at the #4 position. Yet, losses at the #2, #3, #5 and #6 matches meant that the Lady Demons took the team match.

UIW faced a similar outcome against the Ladyjacks (7-4, 2-0). The doubles point was won after two of the Stephen F. Austin duos defeated their Cardinal foes at #1 and #3.  Zemunik and Dedic fought in a contest that remained unfinished at 6-6 against Denise Maxl and Macarena Acosta, but the point was already won.

In the singles matches, Sadiq was the only UIW player to earn a point after her opponent, Malena Gordo, retired from the match due to illness with the score at 2-1. In the five other competitions the Cardinals were defeated in straight sets.

The Cardinals now continue in their Southland Conference campaign for the rest of the season. They play Southeastern Louisiana on March 21 at the SLU Tennis Complex.
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