College of Charleston
North Texas
Cougars Complete Comeback to Advance to NIT Semifinals
5/5/2026 9:15:00 PM | Women's Tennis
ROME, Ga. – The No. 7 College of Charleston women's tennis team (17-8) defeated No. 2 North Texas (17-9) in the UTR Sports NIT Championship Quarterfinals Tuesday evening in thrilling comeback fashion to advance to the tournament semifinals.
The win marks the first postseason victory for Charleston women's tennis in 42 seasons and the first postseason win in the program's Division I history.
North Texas opened the match by securing the doubles point with wins on courts two and three.
An amazing comeback victory after being down 3-0 and needing to win the last three matches. We lost a tight doubles point, but the team refused to lose and wanted to extend this amazing NIT experience another day, said head coach Angelo Anastopoulo. As a coach, this is one I will remember for a long time against an incredible North Texas team that has had an incredible year. We will try to regroup and see if we can postpone retirement another day!
After dropping singles matches on courts five and six, Sia Cariov, Oziera Ahmad, and Jaiden McKee all won their matches in straight sets to tie the contest 3-3.
With the match coming down to court four action, Riley Trinkle bounced back from an opening set loss to win in three and secure the comeback victory after a three hour battle.
The Cougars move on to face No. 3 Arkansas State tomorrow, May 6 in the semifinal round at 11:30 a.m.
DOUBLES RESULTS
- Riley Trinkle/Oziera Ahmad (COFC) def. Lily Pauline Schultz/Lou Chalard (UNT) (7-5)
- Ujin Batsukh/Marina Adati (UNT) def. Sia Cariov/Harper Santos (COFC) (7-6)
- Pia Petenlinsek/Carolina Xavier Laydner (UNT) def. Jaiden McKee/Isabella De Luise (COFC) (6-4)
SINGLES RESULTS
- Sia Cariov (COFC) def. Carolina Xavier Laydner (UNT) (6-2, 6-2)
- Oziera Ahmad (COFC) def. Lou Chalard (UNT) (6-4, 6-4)
- Jaiden McKee (COFC) def. Marina Adati (UNT) (6-1, 7-6)
- Riley Trinkle (COFC) def. Lily Pauline Schultz (UNT) (3-6, 6-4, 6-2)
- Pia Petenlinsek (UNT) def. Isabella De Luise (COFC) (6-3, 6-1)
- Giuliana Ciangherotti (UNT) def. Olivia Bull (COFC) (6-1, 6-2)
For more details on the 2026 NIT Championships, click here.
For complete coverage of Charleston women's tennis, follow us on X (@CofCTennis) and Instagram (@CofCWomensTennis).
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1,2
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
6,5,1,2,3,4
