LAKE CHARLES—McNeese women's tennis fell 5-2 to Incarnate Word Sunday in its home finale to end the regular season with a 14-5 overall record and 4-3 in Southland Conference play.  The Cardinals improved to 14-7 overall and 5-2 in the SLC.  Both teams will take part in next week's Southland Conference Tournament set for April 20-22 in Corpus Christi, Texas. McNeese will be the No. 3 seed in the tournament and will know its opponent when the SLC releases its bracket either Monday or Tuesday.
 
The 14 wins by the Cowgirls so far is the most wins since the 2018 season and the five conference wins is the most since the 2019 season.
 
UIW won the doubles point and four of the six singles points to seal the win.  McNeese picked up its wins on Courts 2 where Heta Nuutinen defeated Estefania Gonzalez 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) and Maria Wang Martinez defeated Sophia Kermet 6-4, 6-4 on Court 5.
 
With the win, Nuutinen improves to 10-8 overall and 3-4 in league play while Martinez improves to 17-2 overall and 6-1 in the SLC.
 
 SINGLES
1. Brandelyn Fulgenzi (UIW) def. Emma-Lou Pommiers (MCN) 2-6, 6-0, 6-4
2. Heta Nuutinen (MCN) def. Estefania Gonzalez (UIW) 6-2, 7-6 (8-6)
3. Gargi Pawar (UIW) def. Tiana Fox (MCN) 6-1, retired
4. Lyric Bonilla (UIW) def. Natalia Ballo (MCN) 6-4, 4-6, 10-6
5. Maria Wang Martinez (MCN) def. Sophia Kermet (UIW) 6-4, 6-4
6. Nitika Girish (UIW) def. Ariane Monlleo Sanchis (MCN) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
 
DOUBLES
1. Brandelyn Fulgenzi/Estefania Gonzalez (UIW) def. Tiana Fox/Emma-Lou Pommiers (MCN) 6-2
2. Gargi Pawar/Lyric Bonilla (UIW) def. Natalia Ballo/Heta Nuutinen (MCN) 6-3
3. Ariane Monlleo Sanchis/Maria Wang Martinez (MCN) vs. Nitika Girish/Sophia Kermet (UIW) 4-5, unfinished