CARY, N.C., - The No. 6 seed South Carolina State women's tennis team knocked off No. 3 Howard 4-3 at the opening day of the 2026 MEAC Women's tennis tournament to advance to the semifinal round at the Cary Tennis Center.

South Carolina State capped the day with a dramatic 4-3 upset over Howard. The Bulldogs claimed the No. 1 doubles match, while Howard responded at No. 2 doubles. South Carolina State secured the doubles point by winning at No. 3. 

In singles play, Howard took the No. 1 match, with Franchesca Brown defeating Katerina Marsalkova 6-4, 6-3. However, South Carolina State surged back, winning the No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 singles matches to clinch the victory and advance. 

South Carolina State advances to the semifinal round and will face Norfolk State on Friday, with first serve scheduled for 9 a.m. 

For additional information, including brackets, team info, and live scoring, please visit the Tennis Championship Central page at MEACSports.com 

Tennis Match Results
SC State Lady Bulldogs vs Howard
4/23/2026 at Cary, N.C.
(Cary Tennis Park)
 
SC State Lady Bulldogs 4, Howard 3
Singles competition
1. BROWN,Franchesa (HUW) def. Katerina Marsalkova (SCSUW) 6-4, 6-3
2. Ashikha Amalnathan (SCSUW) def. HALL,Camille (HUW) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
3. Valeria Teran (SCSUW) def. STIBBINS,Selah (HUW) 6-4, 6-4
4. Cassandra Lecoanet (SCSUW) def. HALL,Dana (HUW) 6-2, 6-3
5. GOINS,Chloe (HUW) def. Iriela Rajaobelina (SCSUW) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
6. OLIVER,Lauren (HUW) def. Danica Nedeljkovic (SCSUW) 6-3, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. Ashikha Amalnathan/Cassandra Lecoanet (SCSUW) def. STIBBINS,Selah/HALL,Camille (HUW) 6-4
2. BROWN,Franchesa/OLIVER,Lauren (HUW) def. Katerina Marsalkova/Valeria Teran (SCSUW) 6-4
3. Iriela Rajaobelina/Danica Nedeljkovic (SCSUW) def. HALL,Dana/GOINS,Chloe (HUW) 6-3

Match Notes:
SC State Lady Bulldogs 3-12
Howard 5-13
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (6,4,1,5,3,2)
2026 MEAC Tennis Championships
Quarterfinals - No. 3 Howard vs No. 6 South Carolina State