LEXINGTON, SC—The NJIT women's tennis team delivered a statement victory Friday, upsetting top-seeded Longwood, 4-2, in the Big South Conference Semifinals at the Lexington County Tennis Complex to punch its ticket to the championship match.
Competing in its first-ever Big South Conference Championship, NJIT has now recorded wins over No. 5 Presbyterian and top-seeded Longwood, advancing to the title match for the first time in program history.
"This is a remarkable achievement against a talented Longwood team," said head coach Patricia Piorkowski McDonald. "Today, we played with consistency, leadership, and heart. It was a strong performance across the board. Our seniors set the standard—not just today, but everyday—stepping up in the biggest moments and leading with experience and composure."
The fourth-seeded Highlanders (16-6) set the tone early by claiming the doubles point and carried that momentum into singles play with victories at the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 positions.
NJIT secured the doubles point with wins at the top two spots. The tandem of Irene Cocero and Laura Wipfli earned a 6-4 victory at No. 1 doubles, while Feyza Aydin and Paula Menendez Alvarez battled to a 7-6 tiebreak win at No. 2 to clinch the early advantage.
Longwood answered with a win at No. 5 singles to even the match, but Wipfli restored NJIT's lead with a commanding straight-sets victory at the top spot, 6-4, 6-2, making it 2-1.
The Lancers pulled even once again with a win at No. 4 singles, tying the match at 2-2.
NJIT regained control thanks to Menendez Alvarez, who rebounded after dropping the first set to earn a three-set victory at No. 2 singles, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2, putting the Highlanders ahead 3-2.
Senior Irene Cocero sealed the upset at No. 3 singles. After falling in the opening set, she responded with two straight set wins (3-6, 6-4, 6-4) to clinch the match and send NJIT to the championship.
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