Northwestern State Demon Invitational Next
10/8/2015 8:32:00 AM | Women's Tennis
With seven Southland Conference squads in the eight-team field at the Northwestern State Demon Invitational in Natchitoches, La., this weekend, Sam Houston will get a preview of what the coming 2016 league tennis race holds for the Bearkats.
The event marks the third fall semester tournament for the Kat netters. In their first competition at Tyler in September, the young Sam Houston debuted by winning 34 of their 48 singles and doubles matches. The competition got tougher two weeks ago at the Rice Invitational in Houston, but the Kats picked up victories over individuals from Texas State, New Mexico State, UTSA and Texas-Arlington.
“Once our level of competiveness rose and the girls quit thinking about the school name on the shirts of their opponents, they were right in the matches, thinking they could win,” Sam Houston head coach Jim Giachino said. “We need to continue to see improvement this weekend.”
Again this weekend, the Northwestern State Invitational will be a flighted tournament with competition for titles at number one through number six singles and three doubles flights.
Doubles will consist of a six-game pro set. Singles will consist of two sets with a 10-point tiebreaker if the two contestants split sets.
Maddie Mortimore is the only senior on the 2015-16 Bearkat squad. Also returning from last season are junior Bailey VanDyke and sophomores Fabienne Gettwart, Mila Milanovic and Caitlyn Mitchell. Newcomers include sophomores Carey Casey, Khen Yen Wee and freshman Ema Barkovic.
