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NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Alabama State Hornets claimed the 2026 SWAC Women’s Tennis Tournament Championship with a 4-2 victory over Jackson State on Sunday at City Park Tennis Center.

Alabama State secured the early advantage by winning the doubles point, as the tandem of Kesmat El Tawil and Senna Van Den Heuvel earned a 7-5 victory at No. 3, followed by Cléanne Pickel and Alexia Campagna posting a 6-4 win at No. 2.

In singles play, Jackson State opened with a win at the No. 1 position as Paula Corbalan defeated Diana Craciun in straight sets.

However, Alabama State responded with key performances across the lineup. Kesmat El Tawil rallied for a three-set win at No. 2, while Melisa Mekic added another three-set victory at No. 3 to give the Hornets control of the match. ASU’s Jovana Petrovic secured the victory at No. 6 defeating JSU’s Tiara Alvarez.

Jackson State picked up its second point at No. 5 with Helen Hernandez earning a straight-set win, but Alabama State closed the door shortly after.

All-Tournament Team
Genesis Whitelock, Florida A&M
Isabella Benavides, Jackson State
Helen Hernandez, Jackson State
Jovana Petrovic, Alabama State
Alexia Campagna, Alabama State
Kesmat El Tawil, Alabama State (MVP)

Final Match Results 

Singles competition
1. Paula Corbalan (JSUW) def. Diana Craciun (ASUW) 6-4, 6-4
2. Kesmat El Tawil (ASUW) def. Mariia Iordanova (JSUW) 5-7, 6-2, 6-4
3. Melisa Mekic (ASUW) def. Victoria Linkovski (JSUW) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
4. Isabella Benavides (JSUW) vs. Alexia Campagna (ASUW) 7-5, 2-6, 1-4, unfinished
5. Helen Hernandez (JSUW) def. Senna Van Den Heuvel (ASUW) 6-3, 6-3
6. Jovana Petrovic (ASUW) def. Tiara Alvarez (JSUW) 6-4, 7-6 (7-1)

Doubles competition
1. Diana Craciun/Melisa Mekic (ASUW) vs. Victoria Linkovski/Helen Hernandez (JSUW) unfinished
2. Cléanne Pickel/Alexia Campagna (ASUW) def. Paula Corbalan/Isabella Benavides (JSUW) 6-4
3. Kesmat El Tawil/Senna Van Den Heuvel (ASUW) def.Tiara Alvarez/Daniela Tovar (JSUW)  7-5

Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (1,5,6,3,2)

About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, and Tennis.
 
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball.
 
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