ROME, Ga. (May 7, 2026) – The University of North Alabama women's tennis team had its postseason come to an end Thursday morning after a 4-2 setback vs. Arkansas State at the UTR Sports NIT Tournament Final in Rome, Ga.
North Alabama concludes the 2026 season with a 17-7 record, finishing with the second-most single-season wins in Division I program history. UNA set its DI wins record one year prior with 19 wins in 2025.
Prior to today's loss, UNA won two games to make a run to the championship with a 4-0 sweep of Army in the quarterfinal round and a dramatic 4-3 win over Big 12 opponent Kansas State in the semifinal. This marked the program's first win over a Power Four opponent in history.
After the historic win over K-State, UNA looked to claim its first postseason championship in Division I program history. The fourth-seeded Lions battled the third-seeded Red Wolves, as Arkansas State struck first with the doubles point.
Arkansas State took the doubles point with two consecutive wins on courts two and three. Sarah Millard and Anna Grigoreva defeated juniors Emma Ansorge and Mathilde Delaney on court two, 6-3. Hanmare McAslin and Meghna Arun Kumar clinched doubles point on court three with a 6-4 win over freshmen Farah Asaad and Sammie Schouten.
Senior Senem Ocal answered back in singles with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Sarah Millard on court six. The Red Wolves took the next two courts on three and five en route to a 3-1 team lead. Carla Muro Castellvi claimed a 6-0, 7-6(5) win over Delaney from court three, and Kumar took a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over junior Louise Booker on court five.
Ristola won her court from flight one to cut the Lions' deficit to one. She earned the team's second point after a 7-6(6), 6-2 victory against Grigoreva. The next match decided was the clincher for Arkansas State, resulting in Arkansas State's Cvanciger defeating Ansorge on court two, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Arkansas State 4, North Alabama 2
Doubles
1. Lilly Cvanciger/Carla Muro Castellvi (ASU) vs. Eeva Ristola/Louise Booker (UNA), 5-4, unfinished
2. Sarah Millard/Anna Grigoreva (ASU) def. Emma Ansorge/Mathilde Delaney (UNA), 6-3
3. Hanmare McAslin/Meghna Arun Kumar (ASU) def. Farah Asaad/Sammie Schouten (UNA), 6-4
Order of Finish: (2,3)
Singles
1. Eeva Ristola (UNA) def. Anna Grigoreva (ASU), 7-6(6), 6-2
2. Lilly Cvanciger (ASU) def. Emma Ansorge (UNA), 2-6, 6-3, 7-5
3. Carla Muro Castellvi (ASU) def. Mathilde Delaney (UNA), 6-0, 7-6(5)
4. Sammie Schouten (UNA) vs. Hanmare McAslin (ASU), 6-7(7), 6-4, 4-1, unfinished
5. Meghna Arun Kumar (ASU) def. Louise Booker (UNA), 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
6. Senem Ocal (UNA) def. Sarah Millard (ASU), 6-2, 7-5
Order of Finish: (3,6,1,5,2)
Match Notes
North Alabama: 17-7
Arkansas State: 16-9
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
