Next Match:
vs. Kansas State
5/6/2026 | 8 AM CT
May. 06 (Wed) / 8 AM CT
vs. Kansas State
ROME, Ga. (May 5, 2026) – The University of North Alabama women’s tennis team began its 2026 UTR NIT Championships on Tuesday afternoon with a 4-0 sweep over Army West Point in Rome, Ga.
North Alabama (16-6) opened the postseason tournament in style, blanking the Black Knights in a strong display in Rome, Ga. The win was the ninth sweep for the Lions over an opponent this season, also marking the first victory over Army in the first all-time meeting between the two programs. UNA Women’s Tennis has now won its opening dual at the NIT tournament for two straight seasons, accomplishing the feat with a win over Middle Tennessee in 2025.
The fourth-seeded Lions advanced to the semifinal round with the victory, set to face top-seeded Kansas State on Wednesday, May 6 at 8 a.m. CT.
North Alabama struck first in the dual with a doubles point win. Senior Eeva Ristola and junior Louise Booker combined for their second victory together in a 6-3 win over Madison Smith and Stacey Samonte from flight one. Army claimed the third doubles court, but junior standouts Emma Ansorge and Mathilde Delaney held strong for their 15th win this season in a 7-6 (5) triumph over Emily Ruckno and Olivia Mellynchuk from court two.
UNA continued momentum into singles with three victories on courts one, two and six. Ristola improved to 11-3 on the season after defeating Madison Smith on court one, 6-1, 6-4. Ansorge notched the third team point and her 15th singles win of the season after downing Venn Mathivanan from court two, 6-1, 6-3.
Senior Senem Ocal clinched the win from court six, tallying her fifth victory of the campaign in a 6-1, 7-6 (2) triumph over Olivia Mellynchuk.
North Alabama 4, Army 0
Doubles
1. Eeva Ristola/Louise Booker (UNA) def. Madison Smith/Stacey Samonte (ARMY), 6-3
2. Emma Ansorge/Mathilde Delaney (UNA) def. Emily Ruckno/Olivia Mellynchuk (ARMY), 7-6 (5)
3. Ylan Duong/Venn Mathivanan (ARMY) def. Farah Asaad/Sammie Schouten (UNA), 6-3
Singles
1. Eeva Ristola (UNA) def. Madison Smith (ARMY), 6-1, 6-4
2. Emma Ansorge (UNA) def. Venn Mathivanan (ARMY), 6-1, 6-3
3. Mathilde Delaney (UNA) vs. Emily Ruckno (ARMY), 6-3, 4-6, unfinished
4. Sammie Schouten (UNA) vs. Emma Sy (ARMY), 6-4, 5-3, unfinished
5. Louise Booker (UNA) vs. Stacy Samonte (ARMY), 0-6, 6-1, 1-0, unfinished
6. Senem Ocal (UNA) def. Olivia Mellynchuk (ARMY), 6-1, 7-6 (2)
Match Notes
North Alabama: 16-6
Army: 22-8
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