NEW ORLEANS — Alabama State’s women’s tennis team defeated Alcorn 4-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference quarterfinals Friday at City Park Tennis Center. The Hornets, seeded third, improved to 9-9 this season and advanced to the SWAC semifinals.
Alabama State took control early by sweeping the doubles point. Diana Craciun and Melisa Mekic defeated Natalija Nikolic and Katherine Grados 6-2 at No. 1 doubles, while Kesmat El Tawil and Senna Van Den Heuvel topped Zoe Crimmel and Oihane Villanueva Lopez 6-4 at No. 3 doubles. The early lead set the tone for the match.
In singles play, Mekic continued her strong performance, earning a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Zoe Crimmel at No. 3. Van Den Heuvel secured the third point with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Villanueva Lopez at No. 5. Alexia Campagna clinched the match for Alabama State with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Nikolic at No. 4.
Remaining singles matches at No. 1, No. 2, and No. 6 were unfinished once the team victory was secured. Diana Craciun, Kesmat El Tawil, and Jovana Petrovic did not need to complete their matches against Amelia Tatafu, Hana Bajramovic, and Katherine Grados, respectively.
Alcorn, coached by interim head coach Kersten Vanem-Walker, concluded its season with a 7-18 record. The team’s season ended with the loss, while Alabama State prepares for the semifinals.
