SALEM, W.Va. — The Salem University women's tennis team closed out the 2026 spring season with a 7-10 overall record, highlighting a year marked by strong home performances, competitive depth, and a diverse, international roster that powered the program's growth.

Salem opened the spring with momentum, earning a 6-1 road win at Shippensburg University, setting the tone for a season that featured multiple strong showings in both singles and doubles play. The Tigers proved especially dangerous in tight matches, securing three 4-3 victories, including wins over D'Youville University, King University, and California University of Pennsylvania.

The Tigers' lineup was anchored by senior leadership from Aishwarya Prasad Kailaje (Mumbai, India) and Daria Korsakova (Orenburg, Russia), who provided consistency at the top of the lineup throughout the season. Their experience helped stabilize Salem in key singles flights while also guiding the team's younger players through a demanding schedule.

Salem also benefited from strong underclassmen contributions, particularly from sophomore Ekaterina Korsakova (Orenburg, Russia), who continued to develop into a reliable presence in both singles and doubles play alongside her sister. Fellow sophomore Galia Mezouar (Tunis, Tunisia) added depth to the lineup, showcasing steady improvement and competitiveness across the spring.

Junior Serena Alvarado Ponce (Buenos Aires, Argentina) played a key role in the Tigers' success, bringing versatility to the lineup and contributing in crucial match situations. Meanwhile, sophomore Salome Molina (Quito, Ecuador) added further international depth, helping Salem remain competitive across multiple flights.

The Tigers also saw growth from their younger core, including freshman Karen Arellano (Mazatlán, Mexico), who gained valuable collegiate experience in her debut season. Sophomore Akhia Miller (Vienna, West Virginia) represented Salem's local presence, contributing to the team's depth and continuing to develop at the collegiate level.

As a group, the Tigers' international makeup—spanning South America, Europe, Africa, and North America—proved to be a defining strength, fostering a unique blend of playing styles and competitive perspectives.

Salem excelled at home, finishing a perfect 4-0, including a dominant 7-0 victory over West Liberty University and a 5-2 win over Davis & Elkins College to close out the home slate.

The Tigers remained competitive throughout the spring, with multiple matches coming down to the wire. Several losses were decided by narrow 4-3 margins, including back-to-back contests against Millersville University and Bloomsburg University.

Salem also earned a notable 5-2 road victory over Bluefield State University and continued to challenge a demanding schedule that included matchups with University of Charleston, Tusculum University, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

With a veteran core leading the way and a developing group of underclassmen gaining experience, Salem used the 2026 spring season as a building block for the future. The Tigers' combination of leadership, depth, and international talent positions the program well as it looks ahead to continued growth and success.