Mobile, AL - The historic season for the No. 9 University of the Cumberlands Patriots women's tennis came to a close on Thursday afternoon as the Patriots fell 4-1 to top-ranked Keiser in the NAIA National Championship Quarterfinals at the Mobile Tennis Center.
Cumberlands wraps up the 2026 campaign with a 17-6 overall record while advancing to the national quarterfinals for the first time in program history.
The Patriots opened the match strong in doubles play, taking the early advantage with wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions. The tandem of Victoria Zarate and Haruna Kojima earned a 6-4 victory at No. 2 doubles before Marina Nagai and Bryndis Rosa secured the doubles point with a thrilling 7-6 (7-2) win at No. 3 doubles.
Keiser answered in singles competition, capturing four straight points to clinch the match. Violet Apisah defeated Marina Nagai at the No. 1 position, while Alexandra Melnikova earned a win over Bryndis Rosa at No. 2 singles to give the Seahawks the lead.
Victoria Zarate battled through three sets at No. 3 singles after winning the opening set 6-4 before falling 6-3, 6-1 in the final two sets. Haruna Kojima also forced a decisive third set at No. 4 singles, rallying after dropping the first set to take the second 6-3. Kojima and Ella Sahnis went to a tiebreak in the third set before Sahnis secured the match-clinching point for Keiser.
Both remaining singles matches were left unfinished. Mahiro Hara held a 6-4, 4-6, 2-5 scoreline at No. 5 singles, while YuFang Liu was competing in the third set at No. 6 singles after winning a second-set tiebreak.
The Patriots conclude the season after posting one of the most successful campaigns in program history, highlighted by a trip to the NAIA Quarterfinals and multiple postseason victories in Mobile.
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