Wednesday, May 6
Rome, Ga.
11:30 AM
College of Charleston
1
vs
4
No. 3 Arkansas State
Women's Tennis Falls in NIT Semifinals
5/6/2026 4:58:00 PM | Women's Tennis
ROME, Ga. – The No. 7 College of Charleston women's tennis team (17-9) won a thrilling doubles point before falling 4-1 to No. 3 Arkansas State (15-9) in the NIT Championship Semifinals at the Rome Tennis Center indoor courts on Wednesday afternoon.
Charleston jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as Sia Cariov and Harper Santos cruised to a 6-2 win on court two before Jaiden McKee and Isabella De Luise won 6-4 on the third court to clinch the doubles point.
Though Riley Trinkle won her first set 6-4 and was leading her second 5-1 on court four, Arkansas State collected sweeps on courts five, one, six and three to claim four points and defeat the Cougars 4-1 in the NIT Semifinals.
"The UTR Sports NIT Championship was a great way to end the season," Head Coach Angelo Anastopoulo said. "We won an exciting doubles point, but Arkansas State was too tough in singles. As a retiring coach, it's always a dream to win your last match, and we won our last outdoor match yesterday."
"I want to thank all the family, friends and coaches that were present in Rome for the tournament. Participating in this tournament wouldn't have been possible without our generous donors, and I'm extremely thankful for them. I couldn't have had a better last trip as I head into retirement. It was an honor to be with such great student athletes in Rome."
"Whoever the next coach is, they are the luckiest coach in the country for so many different reasons, especially for the chance to work with the incredible alumni and donors as well as Coach Silcox and Coach Bruner. I'm deeply indebted to Coach Sean Carroll for stepping up and helping our program as well."
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS – Charleston ends the 2026 season 17-9 and 6-2 in conference play. CofC made the NIT Championships for the first time in program history and defeated North Texas in the quarterfinals on May 5 to secure the program's first postseason victory in Division I history. Charleston also advanced to the CAA Championship semifinals for the second consecutive year and ninth time in program history.
Additionally, five Cougars received CAA postseason honors, including Sia Cariov for All-CAA First Team Singles, Oziera Ahmad and Jaiden McKee for All-CAA Third Team Singles, Cariov and Francesca Salvato for All-CAA First Team Doubles and Ahmad and Riley Trinkle for All-CAA Third Team Doubles.
ANASTOPOULO – After 35 years as the head coach of the College of Charleston women's tennis team and 24 years as The College's Director of Tennis, Angelo Anastopoulo has announced his retirement.
"What I've learned over the course of my career is that it takes a village to run a successful program," said Anastopoulo. "I want to thank the many people and staff who helped our players physically and academically, the individual who strung all of our rackets, the staff at Patriots Point, the groundskeepers, the generous donors, the wonderful alumni, all the tennis officials and the many talented assistant coaches who helped coach our teams."
Read more about Anastopoulo's retirement here.
DOUBLES RESULTS
SINGLES RESULTS
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).
Charleston jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as Sia Cariov and Harper Santos cruised to a 6-2 win on court two before Jaiden McKee and Isabella De Luise won 6-4 on the third court to clinch the doubles point.
Though Riley Trinkle won her first set 6-4 and was leading her second 5-1 on court four, Arkansas State collected sweeps on courts five, one, six and three to claim four points and defeat the Cougars 4-1 in the NIT Semifinals.
"The UTR Sports NIT Championship was a great way to end the season," Head Coach Angelo Anastopoulo said. "We won an exciting doubles point, but Arkansas State was too tough in singles. As a retiring coach, it's always a dream to win your last match, and we won our last outdoor match yesterday."
"I want to thank all the family, friends and coaches that were present in Rome for the tournament. Participating in this tournament wouldn't have been possible without our generous donors, and I'm extremely thankful for them. I couldn't have had a better last trip as I head into retirement. It was an honor to be with such great student athletes in Rome."
"Whoever the next coach is, they are the luckiest coach in the country for so many different reasons, especially for the chance to work with the incredible alumni and donors as well as Coach Silcox and Coach Bruner. I'm deeply indebted to Coach Sean Carroll for stepping up and helping our program as well."
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS – Charleston ends the 2026 season 17-9 and 6-2 in conference play. CofC made the NIT Championships for the first time in program history and defeated North Texas in the quarterfinals on May 5 to secure the program's first postseason victory in Division I history. Charleston also advanced to the CAA Championship semifinals for the second consecutive year and ninth time in program history.
Additionally, five Cougars received CAA postseason honors, including Sia Cariov for All-CAA First Team Singles, Oziera Ahmad and Jaiden McKee for All-CAA Third Team Singles, Cariov and Francesca Salvato for All-CAA First Team Doubles and Ahmad and Riley Trinkle for All-CAA Third Team Doubles.
ANASTOPOULO – After 35 years as the head coach of the College of Charleston women's tennis team and 24 years as The College's Director of Tennis, Angelo Anastopoulo has announced his retirement.
"What I've learned over the course of my career is that it takes a village to run a successful program," said Anastopoulo. "I want to thank the many people and staff who helped our players physically and academically, the individual who strung all of our rackets, the staff at Patriots Point, the groundskeepers, the generous donors, the wonderful alumni, all the tennis officials and the many talented assistant coaches who helped coach our teams."
Read more about Anastopoulo's retirement here.
DOUBLES RESULTS
- Oziera Ahmad/Riley Trinkle (COFC) vs. Lilly Cvanciger/Carla Muro Casgtellvi (ASU) 6-6 uf
- Sia Cariov/Harper Santos (COFC) def. Sarah Millard/Anna Grigoreva (ASU) 6-2
- Jaiden McKee/Isabelle De Luise (COFC) def. Hanmara McAslin/Meghna Arun Kumar (ASU) 6-4
SINGLES RESULTS
- Anna Grigoreva (ASU) def. Sia Cariov (COFC) 6-2, 6-2
- Lilly Cvanciger (ASU) vs. Oziera Ahmad (COFC) 7-5, 3-3 uf
- Carla Muro Castellvi (ASU) def. Jaiden McKee (COFC) 6-3, 6-3
- Riley Trinkle (COFC) vs. Hanmare McAslin (ASU) 6-4, 5-1 uf
- Meghna Arun Kumar (ASU) def. Isabella De Luise (COFC) 6-4, 6-0
- Sarah Millard (ASU) def. Olivia Bull (COFC) 6-3, 6-1
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:
2,3
#1 Singles Match
12
22
Anna Grigoreva / 0 [ASU]
66
#2 Singles Match
123
53UF
Lilly Cvanciger / 0 [ASU]
73UF
#3 Singles Match
12
33
Carla Muro Castellvi / 0 [ASU]
66
#4 Singles Match
123
65UF
Hanmare McAslin / 0 [ASU]
41UF
#5 Singles Match
12
40
Meghna Arun Kumar / 0 [ASU]
66
#6 Singles Match
12
31
Sarah Millard / 0 [ASU]
66
Order of Finish:
5,1,6,3
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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