NEW ORLEANS, La. – The No. 7 seed Alcorn State women's tennis team saw its 2025 season come to a close on Friday afternoon with a 4-0 loss to No. 2 seed Alabama State in the opening round of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship at the City Park Tennis Center.
The Lady Braves finish the season with a 7-18 overall record after qualifying for the postseason and competing in their second SWAC Tournament appearance in three years.
DOUBLES
Alabama State claimed the doubles point with wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions.
Natalija Nikolic and Ozi-Oiza Yakubu dropped a 6-0 decision at No. 1, while
Doaa Mohamed and
Aanya Rao fell 6-1 at the No. 3 spot. The No. 2 match, featuring
Oihane Villanueva Lopez and
Nikita Liyanage, remained unfinished with Alabama State leading.
Order of Finish: 1, 3
SINGLES
Alabama State carried its momentum into singles play, winning matches at No. 6, No. 5, and No. 3 to clinch the contest.
Aanya Rao and
Nikita Liyanage fell in straight sets at No. 6 and No. 5, respectively.
Oihane Villanueva Lopez was unable to overcome her opponent at No. 3, falling 6-1, 6-2.
Matches at No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 were left unfinished, with
Doaa Mohamed and Yakubu showing fight before play was halted.
- #1 Diana Craciun (ALABAMA STATE) vs. Doaa Mohamed (ALCORN), 6-2, 4-2, unfinished
- #2 Melisa Mekic (ALABAMA STATE) vs. Natalija Nikolic (ALCORN), 6-4, 5-0, unfinished
- #3 Carmelle Vial (ALABAMA STATE) def. Oihane Villanueva Lopez (ALCORN), 6-1, 6-2
- #4 Cleanne Pickel (ALABAMA STATE) vs. Ozi-Oiza Yakubu (ALCORN), 6-4, 2-2, unfinished
- #5 Kesmat El Tawil (ALABAMA STATE) def. Nikita Liyanage (ALCORN), 6-0, 6-3
- #6 Ena Arnautovic (ALABAMA STATE) def. Aanya Rao (ALCORN), 6-0, 6-0
Order of Finish: 6, 5, 3
SEASON RECAP
With the 2025 campaign concluded, the Lady Braves walk away with notable progress, including three SWAC regular season wins and valuable experience heading into next year. The program looks ahead to building on the foundation set by this year's squad.
