SEARCY, Ark. – #9 Northeastern State picked up their first sweep of the season in a 9-0 win at Harding on Thursday afternoon.

Despite picking up wins on all nine courts the Lady Bison battled NSU tightly out of the gates.  Molly Worden and Val Efimenko had to fight out from a 4-1 gap in the top-doubles slot squeeze out a 9-8 (8-6) tiebreaker win to cap off the sweep.  Caitlin McCullough and Easton Parker won 8-6 in the second-doubles slot, Karla Tomaic and Betha Gombarova left with an 8-3 win.

With the three-point lead, Worden made quick work in the top-singles slot with a 6-1, 6-2 win.  Tomaic followed up with the match clincher in 5s in a 6-0, 6-4 victory.  

On the other courts, Parker battled back from a 6-2 set one loss to take the match in three sets.  Efimenko was last off the floor taking a 6-4, 7-6 (12-10) win in the two-singles slot.

Northeastern State moves to 5-2 this season and Harding suffered their first loss in four matches.

The RiverHawks will travel to on Friday to Vicksburg, Miss. and will face Alcorn State.

Singles competition
1. #35 Molly Worden (NSU) def. Piper Huey (HU) 6-1, 6-2
2. Val Efimenko (NSU) def. Laura Golubic (HU) 6-4, 7-6 (12-10)
3. Caitlin McCullough (NSU) def. Gabriella Alves (HU) 2-6, 7-5, 10-6
4. Easton Parker (NSU) def. Brittany Smyser (HU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
5. Karla Tomaic (NSU) def. Arielle Butler (HU) 6-0, 6-4
6. Betha Gombarova (NSU) def. Emily Faulkner (HU) 6-2, 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. #4 Molly Worden/Val Efimenko (NSU) def. Piper Huey/Laura Golubic (HU) 9-8 (8-6)
2. Caitlin McCullough/Easton Parker (NSU) def. Gabriella Alves/Brittany Smyser (HU) 8-6
3. Karla Tomaic/Betha Gombarova (NSU) def. Emily Faulkner/Milou Dalmolen (HU) 8-3