ROME, Ga. (5/7/26) – The Arkansas State women's tennis team reigned supreme as the champions of the 2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship. The Red Wolves secured a 4-2 win over North Alabama to clinch the first postseason tournament title in program history and finish the season with a 16-9 record, marking the program's best finish since posting a 16-8 mark in 2002.

Sophomore Carla Muro Castellvi was named MVP after going 3-0 for the Red Wolves at No. 3 singles and 1-0 at No. 1 doubles. Muro Castellvi won all three singles matches in the tournament in straight sets.  

"My heart is so full with gratitude to be part of this special team and everyone that has invested so much in our program," said A-State head coach Sujay Lama. "I am so happy for these ladies who have worked so hard. Character wins championships and today that was on full display. We are going to enjoy this one and celebrate but we also know this is just the beginning of great things to come. It's a great day to be a Red Wolf."

A-State started the day with the coveted doubles point, taking the courts two and three. Clinching the 1-0 advantage for the Red Wolves was sophomore Hanmare McAslin and freshman Meghna Arun Kumar with a 6-4 win on court three. Senior Sarah Millard and junior Anna Grigoreva provided a 6-3 win on court two while Muro Castellvi and sophomore Lilly Cvanciger led 5-4 on court one.

Muro Castellvi increased the lead to 2-0 with a 6-0, 7-6 win on court three, but Millard came up short on court six 2-6, 5-7 making the tally 2-1. Arun Kumar came away with 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 win on court five to make it 3-1, but the Lions took court one over Grigoreva 6-7, 2-6. With McAslin trailing 7-6, 4-6, 1-3 on court four, Cvanciger clinched the match with a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 triumph on court two.

A-State's 16 wins to finish the season mark only the seventh time in program history a team has posted 16-plus wins. The Red Wolves have 29 wins over the last two seasons, most in a two-year span since claiming 30 wins over the 1999 (13-8) and 2000 (17-4) seasons. A-State also had 16-plus wins in 2000 (17-4), 1996 (16-6), 1995 (16-1), 1993 (19-7) and 1992 (17-9).