FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona women's tennis team returned home for their first home match of the season against North Carolina State for the first meeting in school history. The Lumberjacks competed in every match but the Wolf Pack defeated the Lumberjacks 5-2, snapping NAU's two-match winning streak.

"There is no question that we were in every match today," said head coach Kim Bruno. "We had opportunities but we were unable to capitalize on them. We need to play with more confidence against teams like this because North Carolina State is very similar to Idaho, Montana and Sacramento State in our conference."

The Lumberjacks battled and fought looking to clinch the doubles with a 6-3 win on court two from Emelia Box and Hailey Rochin. North Carolina State took the doubles point with wins on courts one and three claiming the early 1-0 lead.

Northern Arizona's first win came from Rochin on court two over the Wolf Pack's Nicole Martinez. Rochin had to battle in a tough first set but pulled out a 7-5 win and to seal the win in the second set, Rochin defeated Martinez 6-2 cutting NC State's lead 3-1.

Following Rochin's lead on court six was Jordan Denesik with a win to cut the Wolf Pack's lead to 3-2. Denesik defeated Natalia Janowicz 6-4, 6-3 for her third straight win in singles.

NAU now turns its attention to conference play  as the Lumberjacks next match will be next Monday, Mar. 16, when they play in their first Big Sky match of the season against Northern Colorado.

"What we can take away from this match is that we have to be able to play more pressure points," said Bruno. "We cannot stray away from our game plan, we have to keep working towards the plan and then there will be opportunities to win matches."

Results

Doubles

1. Sophie Nelson/Nicole Martinez (NCST) def. Johanna Vang/Marta Lewandowska (NAU) 6-4
2. Emelia Box/Hailey Rochin (NAU) def. Elisha Hande/Tayla Stenta (NCST) 6-3
3. Liza Fieldsend/Natalia Janowicz (NCST) def. Jordan Denesik/Livia Hollosy (NAU) 6-3

Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1

Singles

1. Liz Fieldsend (NCST) def. Johanna Vang (NAU) 6-3, 6-4
2. Hailey Rochin (NAU) def. Nicole Martinez (NCST) 7-5, 6-2
3. Elisha Hande (NCST) def. Emelia Box (NAU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
4. Sophie Nelson (NCST) def. Marta Lewandowska (NAU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Tayla Stenta (NCST) def. Livia Hollosy (NAU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Jordan Denesik (NAU) def. Natalia Janowicz (NCST) 6-4, 6-3

Order of Finish: 4, 1, 2, 6, 5, 3