MONROE, La. – A pair of Southeastern Louisiana University pairs advanced to the final of their respective doubles brackets to highlight the opening weekend of the 2021-22 season at the Warhawk Invite on the ULM campus.
 
Southeastern's tournament participants included four newcomers and three returning veterans. The SLU roster's participation in the tournament came after the team evacuated campus due to the effects of Hurricane Ida. The Lions competed among a field that included host ULM, Stephen F. Austin, Arkansas State and Samford.
 
"We were pleased to be able to play against very good competition this weekend," Southeastern head coach Jason Hayes said. "We were able to do some positive things and were also able to identify some things we need to improve on before we play at Northwestern State in two weeks."
 
In the War doubles bracket, the SLU duo of Flory Bierma and Putri Insani opened play with a 6-3 win over Zala Ule and Paula Cerda of SFA, before defeating Hunter Roper and Emily Surcey, 7-6 (6) of Arkansas State in the semifinals. The Lion pair dropped a 6-3 decision to ASU's Nejla Zukic and Thea Rice in the finals.
 
Newcomers Sofya Karnaskaya and Kate Oborina picked up a 6-4 semifinal victory over SFA's Lucy Furness and Nyah Kauders in the Hawk doubles bracket.
 
Several Lions earned singles victories. Insani defeated Rice, 4-6, 6-2, 11-9 in the Gold bracket. Oborina took down ULM's Brianna Gomez, 6-1, 6-0, in the Burgundy bracket.
 
In the Black singles bracket, Kanarskaya handled Samford's Lauren Waddles, 7-5, 6-1, while Polina Sleptsova got past Yasmine Humbert of Arkansas State, 6-4, 6-3.
 
SLU will continue its fall slate with a trip to the NSU Lady Demon Invitational, scheduled for Sept. 24-25 in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
 
40 LOVE CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the tennis program are encouraged to join the 40 Love Club. Lion tennis alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the 40 Love Club and S Club (tennis) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern tennis program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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