Mississippi College Women’s Tennis Upsets No. 1 Barry to Reach NCAA Division II Final 16

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. — Mississippi College women’s tennis made history Saturday by defeating top-ranked Barry 4-3 in the NCAA South Regional Final at the Buccaneer Tennis Center. The victory earns the seventh-ranked Choctaws (25-1) a spot in the NCAA Division II National Championships, set for May 19-24 in Arizona.

The Choctaws lost the doubles point after Barry secured wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. However, they responded with four singles wins to complete the comeback against the reigning national champions, who had won seven of the last eight NCAA Division II titles.

The turnaround started at the top of the singles lineup with Emily Buchanan. She lost the first set 6-4 to Barry’s Ailen Crespo and faced set point down 4-1 in the second. Buchanan rallied to win the second set 7-5 and took control in the third for a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory.

Rocio Martinez also contributed a crucial win at No. 2 singles, defeating Barry’s Dana Heimen 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 6-4 after dropping the second set. Ann Cabot Stockett put the Choctaws on the board with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 6 singles. Barry responded with wins at No. 3 and No. 4 singles, tying the match at 3-3.

The outcome rested on freshman Rune Van Wyk at No. 5 singles. After losing the first set 6-4, she fought back to win the second 6-4 and clinched the victory with a 6-4 in the third set. The win sends Mississippi College to the nationals for the first time and ends Barry’s recent dominance in Division II women’s tennis.

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