Mississippi State women’s tennis suffers first loss of season against Alabama

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State women’s tennis recorded its first loss of the season Sunday, falling 4-1 to No. 29 Alabama in their SEC opener. The Bulldogs previously split a doubleheader, beating Alabama A&M 4-0 earlier in the day.

MSU secured the doubles point against Alabama with wins on courts two and three. Athina Pitta and Mia Robinson defeated Alabama’s Addison Bowman and Amina Salibayeva 6-4 on court three, while Emma Cohen and Thessy Ntondele Zinga won 6-3 on court two. Alabama responded in singles play, winning the first four courts to clinch the match.

Later, Mississippi State ended the day on a positive note by defeating Alabama A&M 4-0. The Bulldogs took the doubles point early and sealed the match with singles victories from Pitta, Noemie Oliveras, and Cohen. The win extended MSU’s non-conference record to 28-3 under coach Chris Hooshyar, who has led the team to an undefeated non-conference streak this season.

Freshman Mia Robinson remains undefeated in singles this season. Thessy Ntondele Zinga is perfect in doubles with partners Emma Cohen and Chiara Di Genova. Mississippi State now holds a 21-match non-conference winning streak under Hooshyar.

The Bulldogs will host Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky on Feb. 26 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively, in Starkville.

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