Over the last month Nicholls State University’s tennis team has had two wins and five loses.

The Colonels took on a 3-0 lead over University of Louisiana at Monroe, but they failed to earn the points needed to bring home the win, losing 4-3. The loss against ULM broke the seven-match home winning streak dating to the 2013 season.

“You have to keep each other going. Even if you have negative thoughts, you need to not show it to your teammates,” Milou Pietersz, team member, said.

The Colonels dominated in the doubles, taking each court by the score 1-6. Stephanie Barnett stayed undefeated on the season with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Pauline Van Herck on No. 1 court. Julia Melendez improved to a 3-1 on the year with a straight set win at No. 4. Laia Charles was defeated on the No. 6, earning ULM its first point. Clemence Krug ousted on No. 3. On the No. 5 court Isla Brock fell in straight sets against Luana Stanciu, evening the match to 3-all.

In their game against Texas State University, the Colonels defeated TSU 4-1. Nicholls shined in the doubles against TSU, and dominated the singles play by winning four straight wins. Barnett and Melendez both won their sets without giving up any points.

Nicholls State University women’s tennis team traveled this past weekend to Statesboro, Georgia to compete against Georgia Southern University, Jacksonville State University and Armstrong State University.

“Nothing has really changed and the team is still working harder,” Barnett said.

With Barnett out on injury until further notice, the tennis team is playing without a full team. With only five active players, the Colonels have to adjust to playing without their number one player.

“Basically everyone has to step up and it’s not just one person or the pressure being on just one person,” Brock said.

In the game against Georgia Southern, the Colonels fell short one point, ending the match 4-3. The Colonels took No. 2, 4 and 5 courts in singles, but dropped the double points. GSU held a 4-1 lead until the Colonels won final two courts. Brock won in straights sets on the No. 4 court. Melendez on No.2 brought on a fight that brought her a win 6-7, 6-2, 10-3. Charles took on a singles winner with 6-7, 6-3, 7,5 on the No. 5 court.

The Colonels took on matches against Jacksonville State (4-1) and Armstrong State on the same day. Although they brought in a victory against Jacksonville State, they were unable to bring in the same result against Armstrong State (4-0). For doubles, the Colonels came out as No. 1 and 2 courts to take a 1-0 lead. Pietersz and Melendez won at No. 1, 6-3, and Brock won No. 4 with a 6-3, 6-1 decision. ASU won No. 3 doubles by default, only needing one more win to take the lead.

The Colonels had their first conference match against McNeese State University. The Colonels took a loss of 0-7.

With Barnett out, the Colonels had to forfeit No. 3 and No. 6 singles. McNeese only needed to win one of the doubles matches, to which McNeese took the victory after the set of Krug and Brock were defeated 6-4 on No.2.

The last match between Melendez and a cowgirl ended with the set 6-4, before Melendez evened it up with a 7-5 win. The set ended with a 10-7 win for the cowgirls.
The next conference game is March 4 against Sam Houston State University.

“It’s good to have a game before conference to have a chance to play without Stephanie,” Meenakshi Sundaram, head coach, said.
“We have a new challenge with Steph being injured and we have to come together,” said Brock.