CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas—McNeese women's tennis season came to an end here Saturday with a hard fought back and forth 4-3 loss to Incarnate Word in the semifinals of the Southland Conference Tournament.  The Cowgirls end their season at 15-6, the best record since 2018.

"Today was heartbreaking," said head coach Gabby Moore.  "We fought so hard and just came up short.  These girls gave it their all, and at the end of the day we hold our heads high and think of all the love and joy this season has brought us.  Although we didn't come out on top today, it doesn't take this moment away from them and we will use it as a learning experience and continue to push through.  

"I couldn't be more proud to coach these ladies and share this moment with them.  This is just the beginning for this program and we appreciate all the love and support from our university, staff, and Poke Nation.  McNeese Cowgirl Tennis' future is bright and we will come back stronger than ever before."
 
Like in Friday's match against Lamar, McNeese took an early 1-0 lead by winning the doubles points.  UIW (16-7) evened the match with a win at the No. singles.
 
After a straight set win on Court 2 by Heta Nuutinen that put the Cowgirls back up, the match was then tied for the second time with a win on Court 4 by UIW.
 
Both teams exchanged wins on courts 6 and 3, sending the match to the deciding match on court 5 where the Cardinals won it in three sets. 
 
Lyric Bonilla won the first set 6-4 by Natalia Ballo evened the match up at one set apiece with a 7-5 second set win.  Bonilla picked up a 6-4 win in the third set to clinch the match.
 
SINGLES
1. Brandelyn Fulgenzi (UIW) def. Emma-Lou Pommiers (MCN) 6-1, 7-5
2. Heta Nuutinen (MCN) def. Estefania Gonzalez (UIW) 6-3, 6-4
3. Gargi Pawar (UIW) def. Tiana Fox (MCN) 7-6 (7-2), 6-4
4. Amelie Montalvo (UIW) def. Maria Wang Martinez (MCN) 6-4, 6-3
5. Lyric Bonilla (UIW) def. Natalia Ballo (MCN) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
6. Ariane Monlleo Sanchis (MCN) def. Sophia Kermet (UIW) 6-4, 6-4
 
DOUBLES
1. Brandelyn Fulgenzi/Estefania Gonzalez (UIW) def. Heta Nuutinen/Emma-Lou Pommiers (MCN) 6-3
2. Natalia Ballo/Ariane Monlleo Sanchis (MCN) def. Lyric Bonilla/Gargi Pawar (UIW) 6-2
3. Tiana Fox/Maria Wang Martinez (MCN) def. Nitika Girish/Amelie Montalvo (UIW) 6-3