FORT SMITH, Ark. — Vandella Suico won a competitive 6-1, 2-6, 1-0 (10-5) decision at No. 6 singles to notch the sole point for the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns tennis team (0-1), as the Golden Suns fell 8-1 to the No. 20 Northeastern State RiverHawks on Saturday.

Suico's battle at the No. 6 singles spot was a reflection of the remainder of the match. The ball bounced the way of the RiverHawks in the doubles points, with NSU claiming a trio of competitive matches. The Golden Suns' top duo of Bohdana Sardak and Olga Leyshyna battled before falling 8-3 to Kristina Savchenkov and Patricia Husakova at the top flight, while Tamara Bell and Camila Roca fell 8-3 to Molly Worden and Daria Panferova at No. 2 doubles.
Suico teamed with Laura Sanchez at No. 3 doubles, testing the NSU duo of Barbora Jirickova and Easton Parker before falling 8-4.

With a 3-0 lead after the doubles points, the RiverHawks turned to their singles lineup, featuring four of the top 20 players in the Central Region, to close out the match. NSU, led by Savchenkov, currently the No. 17-ranked player in Division II, scored points at No. 1 and No. 4 singles, as Savchenkov downed Bell 6-0, 6-1 at the top spot and Panferova topped Sanchez 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4.

The remaining four singles matches saw the Golden Suns fight valiantly, as Sardak battled with Husakova at the No. 2 singles slot before falling 6-2, 7-6 (7-1), Leyshyna dropped a tough 6-4, 6-2 decision to Worden at No. 3 singles, and Roca fell 6-2, 6-3 to Jirickova at No. 5 singles.

The Golden Suns return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 10, traveling to Pine Bluff, Ark. to face UAPB. A 2 p.m. match is scheduled.

#20 Northeastern State 8, Arkansas Tech 1

 Singles Competition
1. #17 Kristina Savchenkov (NSU) def. Tamara Bell (ATU) 6-0, 6-1
2. Patricia Husakova (NSU) def. Bohdana Sardak (ATU) 6-2, 7-6 (7-1)
3. Molly Worden (NSU) def. Olga Leyshyna (ATU) 6-4, 6-2
4. Daria Panferova (NSU) def. Laura Sanchez (ATU) 6-0, 6-0
5. Barbora Jirickova (NSU) def. Camila Roca (ATU) 6-2, 6-3
6. Vandella Suico (ATU) def. Lucia Cerchlanova (NSU) 6-1, 2-6, 1-0 (10-5)

Doubles Competition
1. Kristina Savchenkov/Patricia Husakova (NSU) def. Bohdana Sardak/Olga Leyshyna (ATU) 8-3
2. Molly Worden/Daria Panferova (NSU) def. Tamara Bell/Camila Roca (ATU) 8-3
3. Barbora Jirickova/Easton Parker (NSU) def. Laura Sanchez/Vandella Suico (ATU) 8-4

Match Notes
Northeastern State 2-0; National ranking #20
Arkansas Tech 0-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (1,4,6,5,2,3)