TAHLEQUAH – A strong start by St. Edward's proved to be just enough for overtake the RiverHawks 5-4 on Sunday afternoon in non-conference play.   The Hilltoppers came to Tahlequah red-hot, winners of their first 16 matches, and handed Northeastern State (7-3) a rare home loss.
 
In the last six seasons, the RiverHawks have only dropped two their last 45 home contests.
 
St. Edward's picked up an early advantage on NSU by sweeping all three courts in doubles meaning that RiverHawks would need to win on five of six courts in singles.
 
Northeastern State nearly did the improvable and tied the match at 3-3 after winning on courts one through three.  Chantal Nosievici gave the RiverHawks a 4-3 edge and overcame a second set loss to win 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. 
 
Needing one more win the RiverHawks were forced to go the distance on its remaining courts.  Karla Tomaic would fall in three sets (4-6, 7-5, 6-3) to tie the match back up at four.  Betka Gombarova was the remaining NSU player on the court and won her first set 6-2.  However, she would get edged out 6-4 in the second set, and fell 6-2 in the decisive third set.
 
Northeastern State will return to action in MIAA play this Thursday where they will face Southwest Baptist on the road.
 
Singles competition
1. #23 Tatjana Stoll (NSU) def. Beth Hayward (SEU) 6-1, 6-0
2. Molly Worden (NSU) def. Laura Galvan (SEU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Mayra Jovic (NSU) def. Paola Carpio (SEU) 6-4, 6-2
4. Valentina Martinez (SEU) def. Betka Gombarova (NSU) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
5. Chantal Nosievici (NSU) def. Marissa Williams (SEU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
6. Elisa Guillen (SEU) def. Karla Tomaic (NSU) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
 
Doubles competition
1. Beth Hayward/Valentina Martinez (SEU) def. #15 Molly Worden/Tatjana Stoll (NSU) 8-3
2. Laura Galvan/Elisa Guillen (SEU) def. Karla Tomaic/Mayra Jovic (NSU) 8-4
3. Marissa Williams/Paola Carpio (SEU) def. Easton Parker/Chantal Nosievici (NSU) 8-4
 
Match Notes
St. Edward's 17-0; Regional ranking #4
Northeastern State 7-3; National ranking #11; Regional ranking #2
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (1,3,2,5,6,4)
St. Edward's in ranked No. 4 in ITA South Central Region