​LEXINGTON, SC — The NJIT women's tennis team wrapped up its 2026 campaign with a runner-up finish at the Big South Conference Championship, falling to second-seeded Charleston Southern, 4-2, at the Lexington County Tennis Complex.

Competing in its first-ever Big South Championship, fourth-seeded NJIT closed the season with a 16-7 overall record and an impressive postseason run. The Highlanders notched victories over No. 5 Presbyterian and top-seeded Longwood to advance to the title match—the program's first championship appearance.

Charleston Southern set the early tone by securing the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles, then extended its lead to 2-0 with a straight-sets victory at No. 5 singles.

NJIT responded to even the match at 2-2 behind strong performances from its top of the lineup. Seniors Paula Menendez Alvarez (No. 2) and Laura Wipfli (No. 1) each earned straight-set wins, both by identical 6-2, 6-4 scores.

The Buccaneers regained the lead with a win at No. 5 singles to make it 3-2, then clinched the championship with a victory at No. 3 singles.

Saturday's match marked the final collegiate appearance for three Highlanders: Wipfli, Menendez Alvarez, and Cocero. Wipfli from Ecublens, Switzerland earned First Team All-Big South honors in both singles and doubles, in addition to All-Academic Team recognition. Menendez Alvarez from Gijón, Spain was named First Team All-Big South in singles, while Cocero from Alcalá de Henares, Spain collected First Team doubles and Second Team singles honors.

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