Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s Lady Demon tennis team began their 2025 season in early February with a new roster of talent.
The eight-member team consists of new and returning players from all over the world. Serving in his second year as head coach, Marcos Morelli explained that because the team is all international players, it makes the team even more special.
“Players can rely on themselves as friends and teammates. They can also rely on coaches, not only in the sports, but I think it’s very important in this sport because everyone is international,” Morelli said. “We are away from home, so we need to feel in an environment that we feel supportive and comfortable.”
Tjasa Klevisar, senior health and exercise science major from Kranj, Slovenia, shared that the team has had fun together on and off the court.
“We can say that we’re like a little family, trying to be together, do stuff. Yesterday we had a movie night, so we all watched a movie in the apartment. To help each other in any sort of way, even just talking to each other, to do our best,” Klevisar said.
Aside from the family dynamic the team shares, the team has competed in several matches this season.
NSU lost to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 1-6 on Feb. 1 and the University of Southern Mississippi 2-4 on Feb. 2 in Hattiesburg. The Lady Demons lost 1-6 against the North Texas University Eagles on Feb. 9 in their first home match of the season. The team’s home match on Feb. 11 against the Louisiana State University of Alexandria Generals was postponed to a later date due to weather conditions. NSU lost 2-4 against the University of South Alabama Jaguars on Feb. 14 in Mobile.
“The girls have worked very hard since the fall, and we’re excited about the season so far,” Morelli said. “We said our goal is to compete every match and to put ourselves in a position to win a championship in the spring.”
As a first-year member for the Lady Demons, junior psychology major Zoi Spyrou from Athens, Greece shared how the team dynamic is helping her on the court.
“I feel like everybody is comfortable and we’re all having fun with each other. It’s a good vibe. We’re doing things together. It’s fun,” Spyrou said. “Yeah, we improve after every match. Don’t take steps back, just keep improving.”
The Lady Demons’ close nature keeps them motivated on the court. “We’re doing our best in the court and outside of the court. We’re supporting each other and trying to cheer each other up and to put everything that we have on the court and to make it happen,” Klevisar said.
Morelli shared how the team is feeling moving forward into the 2025 season.
“I think we’re giving a little bit of extra focus on what happens outside the court. We try to make steps forward every season in terms of culture, and I think we’re doing a good job about it,” Morelli said.
The Lady Demons will compete against the University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawks on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 1:30 p.m. home at the Jack Fisher Lady Demon Complex.
