The Arkansas State women’s tennis team announced on Apr. 30 that it has accepted a bid to the 2026 UTR Sports Women’s NIT Championship, which will take place in Rome, Georgia from May 5-8.
This tournament features eight teams and is now in its fourth season. It offers an opportunity for collegiate teams that did not qualify for the NCAA tournament to participate in postseason play. This marks the first time Arkansas State women’s tennis has received a postseason bid.
“For this team to be the first to play post season is fitting,” Arkansas State head coach Sujay Lama said. “These ladies deserve another shot at a championship. What a great opportunity to keep growing and getting better. We’ll certainly make the most out of it.”
Arkansas State finished its season with a record of 13-9, achieving back-to-back seasons with double-digit wins for the first time since the 2008-09 campaigns. The team’s combined total of 26 wins over two seasons is its highest since earning 30 victories across the 1999 and 2000 seasons. The Red Wolves also recorded their first win over a ranked opponent by defeating No. 74 South Alabama on April 10.
Seeded third among eight teams, Arkansas State will open against sixth-seeded McNeese on Tuesday, May 5 at 1:30 p.m. Central Time. Other matchups include top-seeded Kansas State facing Northern Illinois, North Alabama playing Army, and North Texas meeting College of Charleston.
All matches will be streamed live on PlaySight with real-time scoring available through IOnCourt.
