NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 1, 2026) – The ETSU women's tennis team gave No. 24 Clemson a tough match on Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, but the Tigers ultimately knocked off the Bucs by a score of 4-1. With the loss, the Bucs conclude the 2026 season with a record of 16-8.
ETSU jumped out to a 1-0 lead on the Tigers thanks to securing the doubles point. ETSU, which claimed the doubles point for the fourth straight match, landed that point thanks to victories from the duos of
Alessandra Caceres/
Mariangel Estrella and
Niyati Kukreti/
Audelie Lesauvage by scores of 6-4 and 6-3, respectively. The win by Caceres and Estrella was especially impressive as they knocked off No. 57 Rinon Okuwaki/Jade Groen.
Singles action between the Bucs and Tigers was just as competitive. Overall, seven sets finished with 7-5 or 7-6 final scores. Estrella won the opening set of her tilt against Artemis Aslanisvilli, 7-5. However, the Tigers came through when it mattered most, winning those close sets and the four singles contests to punch their ticket to the second round.
Friday's full results can be found below.
Singles Competition
1. Jade Groen (CLEM) def.
Ksenija Rage (ETSU) 7-5, 6-1
2. No. 74 Rinon Okuwaki (CLEM) def.
Alessandra Caceres (ETSU) 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)
3. Romana Cisovska (CLEM) def.
Julia Millan (ETSU) 7-5, 6-2
4. Talia Neilson-Gatenb (CLEM) def.
Audelie Lesauvage (ETSU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
5.
Mariangel Estrella (ETSU) vs. Artemis Aslanisvili (CLEM) 7-5, 4-6, 2-0, unfinished
6.
Niyati Kukreti (ETSU) vs. Ria Bhakta (CLEM) 5-7, 2-5, unfinished
Doubles Competition
1.
Mariangel Estrella/
Alessandra Caceres (ETSU) def. No. 57 Jade Groen/Rinon Okuwaki (CLEM) 6-4
2. Romana Cisovska/Talia Neilson-Gatenby (CLEM) def.
Ksenija Rage/
Julia Millan (ETSU) 6-4
3.
Niyati Kukreti/
Audelie Lesauvage (ETSU) def. Artemis Aslanisvili/Sophie Clayton (CLEM) 6-3
For more information on Buccaneer women's tennis, visit
ETSUBucs.com and click on the women's tennis tab.
