BENTONVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech won its second Great American Conference Women’s Tennis Championship title as the Golden Suns ended a 14-year drought with a 4-3 win against Henderson State on Sunday from Memorial Park.
For only the fourth time in GAC history, the final went the full seven points. The contest hinged on the result at No. 3 singles between Tech’s Monica Balau and the Reddies’ Adiya Abdugappar. Abdugappar, who came up with the clinching point against Harding on Saturday with a three-set victory, forced a decisive third set by winning the second set, 6-2.
Balau won the opening two games before Abdugappar claimed the subsequent two. Balau held serve to retake the lead. She then broke Abdugappar and followed with a hold to lead 5-2. Another break of serve by Balau secured the title.
After dropping the doubles point, Arkansas Tech (12-7) earned the first two singles points as Elis Gergel won in straight sets at No. 1 and Nayara Alvarez won in similar fashion at No. 6. The Reddies (11-9) took a 3-2 advantage thanks to victories from Jordan Parker at No. 5 and Emilia Nowak, the GAC Newcomer of the Year, at No. 2. Natalya Montoya drew the Golden Suns level with a 7-6, 6-3 win at No. 4
Arkansas Tech secured its fourth trip to the NCAA Championships and first since 2015. The Golden Suns will learn their opening opponent during the NCAA.com selection show that streams at 7 p.m. on Monday.