Montgomery, Alabama — Alcorn State women’s tennis defeated Bethune-Cookman 4-2 Friday afternoon in the first match of a weekend series at the SWAC Pod #1 event hosted by Alabama State at the Olean Black Underwood Tennis Center.
The Braves built an early lead with a dominant doubles performance, winning two matches outright and receiving a default in the third. The doubles point set the tone for the match, according to interim head coach Kersten Vanem-Walker, who praised her team’s effort.
Bethune-Cookman took the first doubles match with Maria Romero Vargas and Rosalida Asumwa defeating Alcorn’s Amelia Tatafu and Hana Bajramovic 6-3. Alcorn responded with victories from Natalija Nikolic and Katherine Grados, 6-1, and a default win at third doubles when BCU could not field a full team.
In singles, BCU was again short-handed, unable to fill the No. 6 spot, resulting in a point for Alcorn’s Katherine Grados. Rosalida Asumwa delivered a straight-set win for BCU, 6-0, 6-4, at No. 4 singles. Maria Romero Vargas rallied to beat Tatafu in three sets, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 2.
Zoe Crimmel won a three-set match at No. 3, rallying after losing the first set to defeat Bethune-Cookman’s Zahara El-Zein 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. Natalija Nikolic secured her victory in three sets at No. 5, overcoming an early deficit to beat Taylor O’Neal 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.
Vanem-Walker praised her players’ resilience, noting Crimmel and Nikolic’s ability to come back after dropping the first set. Alcorn is scheduled to face Florida A&M on Saturday, with match times to be announced.
The team’s next match will continue their SWAC competition in Montgomery, with further updates available through Alcorn State Sports’ social media channels.
