NEW ORLEANS – The Nicholls State University men's and women's tennis teams competed in the Big Easy Classic on Friday to begin its fall season, and a total of eight players advanced in singles action in their respective flights, with play to resume on Saturday.

“I am extremely excited about the new incoming freshmen - both men and women, “Nicholls tennis head coach Meenakshi Sundaram said. “ It was a long hard day and I am very happy and proud of how some of them competed.”

For the men's team, newcomers Manel Estruega, Nico Mertens, Jeoffrey Noblecourt and James Russell all earned victories to stay in the winner's bracket, while sophomore Sidharth Sivakumar picked up a win to advance to the quarterfinals.

In 'Flight 2', Mertens took both of his matches in straight sets, defeating Tulane's Iain Sneddon 6-1, 6-4 and UNO's Hossam Meligy 7-6, 6-4.  Merten is set to face South Alabama's Blake Gregor on Saturday morning.

Four Colonels are still alive in 'Flight 3', helped by the play of junior transfer James Russell, who took out the top-seed Lovro Curcija of UNO. Russell came out as the victor in a three-set battle, winning 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 against Alcorn's Max Tkachenko before making easy work of Curcija 6-3, 6-1.However, he'll have to face teammate Manel Estruega, who surrendered a combined four points in his two matches.

In the bottom half, Noblecourt clawed his way to the quarters, winning both of his matchups after dropping the first set. Sivakumar, who had a bye in the opening round, breezed by UNO's Christoffer Appelgren 6-0, 6-2 to make the Round of 8.

For the women, three returning members had great showings in day one, led by senior Parija Maloo, who was listed in the ITA 2012-13 Preseason rankings. Maloo earned the top seed in 'Flight 1' and won by retirement in her lone match of the day, defeating McNeese State's Klaudia Gawlik. Freshman Natalia Cardiff won her opening match in straight sets, but fell in the second round.

Sophomore Marie Aubert took the No.1-seed in 'Flight 2', advancing to the semifinals with a 6-1, 6-1 victory against Troy's Olivia Durden. In 'Flight 3', sophomore Catherine Gauthier won her only match of the day, beating UNO's Paula Sanchez 6-1, 6-3. Freshman Rachel Howie shutout Loyola's Frances Bonnin in the first round, but was ousted 4-6, 4-6 by Gisela Cairo Baza of Southern Illinois and Emma Pitre also went 1-1 on the day.

The ladies also picked up victory in doubles play, as Howie/ Isla Brock defeated McNeese 8-5 and Gauthier/Marina Ljoshevska won their opener against SIU 8-4.

The Colonels will start day two early on Saturday morning. For Friday's complete results, please click here.