Alcorn Women’s Tennis Hosts Kennesaw State in Final Home Match Before Break
Alcorn State Women’s Tennis will host Kennesaw State on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Halls Ferry Tennis Courts in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The match marks the Braves’ final home contest until mid-March, following two recent road losses.
The Braves, with a 3-11 record, are coming off back-to-back 4-0 defeats to Alabama State and Southern Miss. The loss to Alabama State was the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener for both teams, held in Montgomery, Alabama.
Alcorn’s wins this season came during a five-day stretch from Jan. 30 to Feb. 6, with victories over Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Southwest Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi Gulf Coast. The team has struggled in doubles, posting a .235 winning percentage (8-26), with the No. 1 doubles team leading at .300 (3-7).
Freshman Hana Bajramovic leads singles with a 3-5 record, primarily at No. 2 and No. 3 positions. Rookie Taylor Briffa has a 3-8 singles record, competing mostly at No. 4 and No. 5. Senior Amelia Tatafu has played the most singles matches this season (11) but is still seeking her first win, primarily competing at the top flight, according to coach Kersten Vanem-Walker.
Vanem-Walker expressed excitement about returning home, noting the team has been through a tough road stretch. She emphasized the importance of familiar environments and energy. The coach also acknowledged Kennesaw State as a formidable opponent, stating, “Matches like this are what help us grow.” She added, “The results don’t define who we are or what we’re capable of. We are competing hard, learning, and getting better. I believe in this group.”
Alcorn recently fell 4-0 to Southern Miss in Hattiesburg. Despite the score, the team showed resilience, with several matches still unfinished when play was halted. Southern Miss secured the victory with wins at doubles and singles, including straight-set victories by Miranda Xu, Manuella Persson, and Hannah Chambers. Multiple Alcorn players, such as Hana Bajramovic, Natalija Nikolic, and Katherine Grados, were still competing when matches ended.
The Braves will next travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the SWAC Pod event, facing Bethune-Cookman on March 6 and Florida A&M on March 7. Follow Alcorn State Sports on Twitter (@BravesSports), Instagram (@AlcornSports), and YouTube (Braves Sports Network) for updates and behind-the-scenes coverage of Braves Athletics.
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