Virginia Tech, Arkansas State win 2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship titles

Friday, May 8

1) Virginia Tech beats 2) North Alabama 4-2 to win 2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship men's title

Virginia Tech (#1) vs. North Alabama (#2) 4:2

Virginia Tech and North Alabama delivered an incredible battle in the 2026 NIT Championship match, with the Hokies taking the doubles point after victories at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. The momentum continued to swing throughout singles play as both teams traded points in a tightly-contested title match.

Virginia Tech picked up straight-set wins at No. 1 and No. 4 singles, while North Alabama responded with dominant victories at No. 2 and No. 3 singles. That left the championship to be decided on courts No. 5 and No. 6, where both matches were locked in dramatic third sets.

Virginia Tech are the 2026 NIT Champions!!! 🏆

Virginia Tech def. North Alabama 4-2 to bring home the title! pic.twitter.com/knGqTX0Ulx

— UTR Sports (@UTR_Sports_) May 8, 2026

 

North Alabama appeared to have the edge with a 5-2 lead in the third set at No. 6 singles, putting immense pressure on Virginia Tech. But on court No. 5, Virginia Tech's Blake Hilsen showed incredible resilience, battling through a grueling three-set match before clinching the deciding point with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 victory. Hilsen’s performance secured the championship-clinching point and delivered the 2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship title to Virginia Tech.

“That was the goal, to get our names written down.We're super excited that we could take the title down and do it together. It was a team effort that was really fun,” Hilsen said.

Doubles
#1 E. Shumilov/B. Hilsen (VT) vs. I. Orgiles/A. Altur Fernandez (North Alabama), 6-2
#2 I. Fahim/P. Jurina (VT) vs. A. Despoja/S. Nakajima (North Alabama), 7-6(6)
#3 D. Fishback/F. Thompson (VT) vs. L. Brain/S. Balfour Dominguez (North Alabama), 1-6

Order of finish: 3, 1, 2

Singles
#1 I. Fahim (VT) vs. L. Brain (North Alabama), 6-4, 6-3
#2 P. Jurina (VT) vs. A. Altur Fernandez (North Alabama), 4-6, 1-6
#3 E. Shumilov (VT) vs. I. Orgiles (North Alabama), 2-6, 2-6
#4 D. Fishback (VT) vs. A. Despoja (North Alabama), 6-1, 6-3
#5 B. Hilsen (VT) vs. S. Balfour Dominguez (North Alabama), 6-3, 5-7, 6-3
#6 T. Vesantera Brandao (VT) vs. S. Nakajima (North Alabama), 5-7, 7-6(2), 2-5, abandoned

Order of finish: 3, 2, 4, 1, 5

Thursday, May 7

1) Virginia Tech sweeps 4) UT-Chattanooga 4-0 to reach men's final

Virginia Tech opened the match by securing the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, taking early control against UT-Chattanooga. The Hokies carried that momentum into singles play, where they delivered a dominant performance by sweeping the singles courts to secure a 4-0 victory and advance to Friday's final.

With the win, the stage is now set for Friday's UTR Sports NIT Championship men's final featuring the top-seeded Hokies against second seed North Alabama.

Doubles 
#1 E. Shumilov/B. Hilsen (VT) vs. C. Grove/K. Kincses (Chattanooga), 6-4
#2 I. Fahim/P. Jurina (VT) vs. J. Lamb/J. Franzmann (Chattanooga), 6-1
#3 D. Fishback/F. Thompson (VT) vs. C. Ramthun/M. Delnido (Chattanooga), 5-7

Order of finish:  2, 3, 1

Singles
#1 I. Fahim (VT) vs. J. Franzmann (Chattanooga), 7-5, 0-2, abandoned
#2 P. Jurina (VT) vs. M. Delnido (Chattanooga), 6-7(5), 0-1, abandoned
#3 E. Shumilov (VT) vs. C. Grove (Chattanooga), 6-4, 6-2
#4 D. Fishback (VT) vs. K. Kincses (Chattanooga), 7-6(7), 2-1, abandoned
#5 B. Hilsen (VT) vs. T. Ryerson (Chattanooga), 6-0, 6-1
#6 T. Vesantera Brandao (VT) vs. J. Lamb (Chattanooga), 6-0, 6-1

Order of finish: 6, 3, 5

2) North Alabama advances to men's final with 4-2 win against 3) Longwood

North Alabama took the doubles point and raced to a 3-0 lead in singles. But Longwood wasn’t just done yet. They took the next two singles matches in three sets.

And after two and a half hours, and the match score at 3-2, North Alabama was able to stop Longwood's comeback with a clinching win at No. 6 singles.

Doubles

#1 I. Orgiles/A. Altur Fernández (UNA) vs D. Borisov/T. Puech (Longwood), 6-4

#2 S. Nakajima/A. Despoja (UNA) vs M. Mrdak/R. Plane (Longwood), 5-4, abandoned

Order of finish: 3, 1

Singles

#1 L. Brain (UNA) vs T. Puech (Longwood), 4-6, 6-3, 1-4, abandoned

#2 A. Altur Fernández (UNA) vs D. Borisov (Longwood), 6-3, 1-6, 3-6

#3 I. Orgiles (UNA) vs R. Plane (Longwood), 6-4 6-0

#4 A. Despoja (UNA) vs D. López Adelino (Longwood), 6-1, 2-6, 1-6

#5 S. Balfour Domínguez (UNA) vs M. Mrdak (Longwood), 6-3, 6-3

#6 S. Nakajima (UNA) vs A. Uribe (Longwood), 4-6, 6-4, 6-0

Order of finish: 3, 5, 4, 2, 6

Arkansas State wins 2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship women's title

Arkansas State University battled through an incredible match against North Alabama to capture the 2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship women's title.

"This team was a special team, and I've done this for a long, long time, many, many years. This is one of my most special group of ladies, and they work so hard, and they believe in each other, and they work every single day, diligently," said Sujay Lama, head women's tennis coach at Arkansas State. "We had this vision of winning a championship, and to win this championship with this group is really special."

Arkansas State secured the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to take the early 1-0 lead.

Arkansas State are the 2026 NIT Champions!!! 🏆

Arkansas State def. North Alabama 4-2 to bring home the title! pic.twitter.com/whxx4it1zu

— UTR Sports (@UTR_Sports_) May 7, 2026

 

The Red Wolves extended their advantage to 2-0 after a straight-sets victory at No. 3 singles, but North Alabama responded with wins at No. 6 and No. 1 singles to even the overall score at 2-2. Arkansas State regained control when they earned a three-set victory at No. 5 singles to move ahead 3-2.

With the championship on the line, all eyes turned to No. 2 singles, where Arkansas State came through in an intense battle to clinch the deciding point and secure a 4-2 victory, bringing home the national title.

"Thank you UTR Sports for doing this event. This is such a great event. And the opportunity to come here, it was a no-brainer for us to extend the season for two more weeks, and then to be able to go home with the trophy too," Lama said. "First-class event, amazing facility, great organization."

Doubles
#1 L. Cvanciger/C. Muro Castellví (Arkansas State) vs. E. Ristola/L. Booker (North Alabama), 5-4, abandoned
#2 S. Millard/A. Grigoreva (Arkansas State) vs. E. Ansorge/M. Delaney (North Alabama), 6-3
#3 H. Mcaslin/M. Arun Kumar (Arkansas State) vs. F. Asaad/S. Schouten (North Alabama), 6-4

Order of finish: #2, #3

Singles
#1 A. Grigoreva (Arkansas State) vs. E. Ristola (North Alabama), 6-7 (6), 2-6
#2 L. Cvanciger (Arkansas State) vs. E. Ansorge (North Alabama), 2-6, 6-3, 7-5
#3 C. Muro Castellví (Arkansas State) vs. M. Delaney (North Alabama), 6-0, 7-6(5)
#4 H. Mcaslin (Arkansas State) vs. S. Schouten (North Alabama), 7-6(7), 4-6, 1-4, abandoned
#5 M. Arun Kumar (Arkansas State) vs. L. Booker (North Alabama), 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
#6 S. Millard (Arkansas State) vs. S. Ocal (North Alabama), 2-6, 5-7

Order of finish: #3, #6, #1, #5, #2

Wednesday, May 6

UT-Chattanooga vs. North Carolina Central University 4-1

The men's draw also kicked off on Wednesday when NCCU secured a hard-fought doubles point after some great tennis. Following doubles, UT-Chattanooga came out strong in singles, winning four straight matches to advance to the semifinals.

Doubles
#1 C. Grove/K. Kincses (UT-Chattanooga) vs. K. Hakim/R. Oliveira Alves (NCCU), 4-6
#2 J. Franzmann/J. Lamb (UT-Chattanooga) def. N. Bharathy/S. Pinna (NCCU), 6-4
#3 C. Ramthun/J. Jupa (UT-Chattanooga) vs. L. Fortier-Gariepy/P. Puig Montiel (NCCU), 2-6

NCCU won the doubles point
Order: #3, #2, #1 

Singles
#1 J. Jupa (UT-Chattanooga) def. N. Bharathy (NCCU), 6-3, 7-6(3)
 #2 J. Franzmann UT-Chattanooga) vs. R. Oliveira Alves (NCCU), 7-6(5), 4-4, abandoned
 #3 M. Delnido (UT-Chattanooga) vs. K. Hakim (NCCU), 6-3, 3-6, 2-2, abandoned
 #4 C. Grove (UT-Chattanooga) def. S. Pinna (NCCU), 6-1, 7-5
 #5 K. Kincses (UT-Chattanooga) def. L. Fortier-Gariepy (NCCU), 6-2, 6-3
 #6 T. Ryerson (UT-Chattanooga) def. P. Puig Montiel (NCCU), 6-4, 6-2

Order: #5, #4, #6, #1 

3) Arkansas State University beats 7) College of Charleston 4-1

After College of Charleston secured the doubles point, Arkansas State came out strong in singles, sweeping four singles matches to earn a 4-1 victory and advance to the 2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship final.

Doubles
#1 L. Cvanciger/C. Muro Castellví (Arkansas State) vs. R. Trinkle/O. Ahmad (College of Charleston), 6-6, abandoned
#2 S. Millard/A. Grigoreva (Arkansas State) vs. S. Cariov/H. Santos (College of Charleston), 2-6
#3 H. Mcaslin/M. Arun Kumar (Arkansas State) vs. J. McKee/I. De Luise (College of Charleston), 4-6

CoC won the doubles point
Order: #3, #2

Singles
#1 A. Grigoreva (Arkansas State) def. S. Cariov (College of Charleston), 6-2, 6-2
#2 L. Cvanciger (Arkansas State) vs. O. Ahmad (College of Charleston), 7-5, 3-3, abandoned
#3 C. Muro Castellví (Arkansas State) def. J. McKee (College of Charleston), 6-3, 6-3
#4 R. Trinkle (College of Charleston) vs. H. Mcaslin (Arkansas State), 6-4, 5-1, abandoned
#5 M. Arun Kumar (Arkansas State) def. I. De Luise (College of Charleston), 6-4, 6-0
#6 S. Millard (Arkansas State) def. H. Santos (College of Charleston), 6-3, 6-1

Order: #5, #3, #1, #6

3) University of North Alabama upsets 1) Kansas State University 4-3

North Alabama struck first by winning the doubles point with victories at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. Singles proved to be a hard-fought battle, with the match tied at 3-3 before North Alabama’s No. 2 singles player clinched the deciding point to secure a 4-3 victory.

Doubles
No. 1 E. Ristola/L. Booker (North Alabama) def. M. Chogsomjav/M. Chogsomjav (Kansas State), 6-1
No. 2 Z. Rustemova/V. Bernovich (Kansas State) vs. E. Ansorge/M. Delaney (North Alabama), 4-3, abandoned
No. 3 F. Asaad/S. Schouten (North Alabama) def. M. Renfro/D. Smolinska (Kansas State), 6-2

University of North Alabama won the doubles point
Order: #3, #1

Singles
No. 1 M. Chogsomjav (Kansas State) def. E. Ristola (North Alabama), 6-4, 6-4
No. 2 E. Ansorge (North Alabama) def. V. Bernovich (Kansas State), 6-4, 6-2
No. 3 M. Chogsomjav (Kansas State) def. M. Delaney (North Alabama), 6-3, 6-4
No. 4 D. Smolinska (Kansas State) def. S. Schouten (North Alabama), 6-4, 6-3
No. 5 L. Booker (North Alabama) def. Z. Rustemova (Kansas State), 6-0, 6-1
No. 6 S. Ocal (North Alabama) def. A. Renfro (Kansas State), 6-0, 6-0

Order
#6, #5, #4, #3, #1, #2 

Tuesday, May 5

7) College of Charleston stuns 2) North Texas 4-3

North Texas secured the doubles point, but College of Charleston battled back to earn a thrilling 4-3 victory after nearly three hours, 30 minutes of play. The match came down to Court No. 4, where College of Charleston’s Riley Trinkle clinched the deciding point with a three-set win.

Doubles
No. 1 L. Schultz/L. Chalard (North Texas) vs. R. Trinkle/O. Ahmad (College of Charleston), 5-7
No. 2 U. Batsukh/M. Adati (North Texas) def. S. Cariov/H. Santos (College of Charleston), 7-6(5)
No. 3 P. Petelinšek/C. Xavier Laydner (North Texas) def. J. McKee/I. De Luise (College of Charleston), 6-4

University of North Texas won the doubles point
Order: #3, #1, #2

Singles
No. 1 S. Cariov (College of Charleston) def. C. Xavier Laydner (North Texas), 6-2, 6-2
No. 2 O. Ahmad (College of Charleston) def. L. Chalard (North Texas), 6-4, 6-4
No. 3 J. McKee (College of Charleston) def. M. Adati (North Texas), 6-1, 7-6 (9)
No. 4 R. Trinkle (College of Charleston) def. L. Schultz (North Texas), 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
No. 5 P. Petelinšek (North Texas) def. I. De Luise (College of Charleston), 6-3, 6-1
No. 6 G. Ciangherotti (North Texas) def. O. Bull (College of Charleston), 6-1, 6-2

Order
#5, #6, #1, #3, #2, #4

3) Arkansas State University sweeps 6) McNeese State 4-0 

Arkansas State started strong, claiming the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2. In singles, they maintained control as victories at No. 2 and No. 3 extended the lead, before sealing the 4–0 victory with a win at No. 1.

Doubles
No. 1 I. Cvanciger/C. Muro Castellví (Arkansas State) def. A. Martinez Mendoza/E. Morales Dorantes (McNeese State), 6-1
No. 2 S. Millard/A. Grigoreva (Arkansas State) def. E. Hagi/S. Fluri (McNeese State), 6-1
No. 3 H. Mcaslin/M. Arun Kumar (Arkansas State) vs. N. Hagi/A. Hollweg Bustillos (McNeese State), 5-2, DNF

Arkansas State University won the doubles point 
Order: #1, #2

Singles
No. 1 A. Grigoreva (Arkansas State) def. S. Fluri (McNeese State), 6-4, 6-3
No. 2 L. Cvanciger (Arkansas State) def. A. Martinez Mendoza (McNeese State), 6-2, 6-0
No. 3 C. Muro Castellví (Arkansas State) def. A. Hollweg Bustillos (McNeese State), 6-2, 6-2
No. 4 E. Hagi (McNeese State) vs. H. Mcaslin (Arkansas State), 6-2, 4-4, DNF
No. 5 M. Arun Kumar (Arkansas State) vs. E. Morales Dorantes (McNeese State), 7-5, 2-4, DNF
No. 6 S. Millard (Arkansas State) vs. N. Hagi (McNeese State), 7-6(3), 2-1, DNF

Order
#2, #3, #1

4) North Alabama beats 5) Army 4-0

North Alabama secured the doubles point with a decisive win in the tiebreaker at No. 2 doubles. They carried that momentum into singles, earning victories at No. 1, No. 2, and No. 6 to complete a 4–0 sweep.

Doubles
No. 1 E. Ristola/L. Booker (North Alabama) def. S. Samonte/M. Smith (Army), 6-3
No. 2 M. Delaney/E. Ansorge (North Alabama) def. R. Emily/O. Mellynchuk (Army), 7-6(5)
No. 3 M. V./Y. Duong (Army) def. S. Schouten/F. Asaad (North Alabama), 6-3

Order: #1, #3, #2
North Alabama wins the doubles point

Singles
No. 1 E. Ristola (North Alabama) def. M. Smith (Army), 6-1, 6-4
No. 2 E. Ansorge (North Alabama) def. M. V. (Army), 6-1, 6-3
No. 3 M. Delaney (North Alabama) vs. R. Emily (Army), 6-3, 4-6, DNF
No. 4 S. Schouten (North Alabama) vs. E. Sy (Army), 6-4, 5-3, DNF
No. 5 S. Samonte (Army) vs. L. Booker (North Alabama), 6-0, 2-6, DNF
No. 6 S. Ocal (North Alabama) def. Y. Duong (Army), 6-1, 7-6(2)*

*Clinch
#6 Singles clinched
Order: #2, #1, #6 

Top seed Kansas State beats Northern Illinois 4-2

The 2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship is officially underway.

Kansas State, the top seed in the women's draw, started its run for a national championship with a 4-2 victory against eighth seed Northern Illinois.

Northern Illinois secured the doubles point to take the early lead. But after the first four singles matches, Kansas State had retaken the lead at 3-2, with two matches heading into decisive third sets.

Ultimately, the Wildcats clinched the victory at the No. 2 singles position following a three-hour battle.

Doubles scorelines
No. 1 N. Miroslavova Ninova/T. Kousiou (NIU) def. M. Chogsomjav/M. Chogsomjav (Kansas State), 7-6⁷
No. 2 Z. Rustemova/V. Bernovich (Kansas State) vs. J. Horne/I. Budak (NIU), 6-6, DNF
No. 3 L. Yecora/R. Garcia Miralles (NIU) def. M. Renfro/D. Smolinska (Kansas State), 6-0
Order: #3, #1

NIU wins the doubles point

Singles scorelines
No. 1 M. Chogsomjav (Kansas State) def. I. Budak (NIU), 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 V. Bernovich (Kansas State) def. T. Kousiou (NIU), 6-2, 5-7, 6-1*
No. 3 M. Chogsomjav (Kansas State) def. L. Yecora (NIU), 7-6(4), 6-2
No. 4 D. Smolinska (Kansas State) def. N. Miroslavova Ninova (NIU), 6-2, 6-1
No. 5 Z. Rustemova (Kansas State) vs. J. Horne (NIU), 6-1, 5-7, 2-5, DNF
No. 6 R. Garcia Miralles (NIU) def. A. Renfro (Kansas State), 6-0, 6-0

*Clinch
#2 Singles clinched
Order: #6, #4, #1, #3, #2 

---- 

UTR Sports, the leader in college tennis and creator of the gold-standard UTR Rating, is excited to be hosting the 2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship, to be held May 5-8 in Rome, Georgia.

This blog will be updated as the national championship begins to unfold on Tuesday from the Rome Tennis Center.

Be sure to follow UTR Sports on social for the very latest from the NIT Championship and beyond: Instagram, X, and Facebook.

Read and watch more about the championships here, here, and below.

Complete draws, live-streaming links, and further team information also can be found below and at utrsports.com/nit.

2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship Women’s Field

2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship Men’s Field

Schedule of Play