LEXINGTON, S.C. — The top-seeded Longwood women's tennis team's rally fell just short in the 2026 Big South tournament semifinals as No. 4 seed NJIT took a 4-3 decision at Lexington County Tennis Complex on Friday.

The Lancers' season ends a 9-8 overall, with the most wins since 2019 and their first-ever trip to the to final four stage on the league tournament.

With Longwood trailing, 2-1, senior Oriana Izarra defeated Feyza Aydin in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1 on court four to pull her team even. Paula Menendez Alvarez won at No. 2 and Irene Cocero at No. 3, both in three sets, to help the Highlanders (15-6) advance.

NJIT opened the day winning the doubles point. Longwood's Hima Fernando and Elizaveta Gnilozubova got by Lusia Hepcal Barcan and Petra Koszo, 6-2, at No. 3 before Cocero and Laura Wipfli beat Izarra and Bali Song, 6-4, at No. 1.

NJIT clinched the point as Aydin and Menendez Alvarez outlasted Alexandra Magia and Feline van Eijkelenburg, 7-6.

Magia began singles with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Diana Fernandes at No. 5 to tie the dual, 1-1, prior to a 6-4, 6-2, win for Wipfli against Song, which gave the Highlanders the lead.

Menendez Alvarez slid past Fernando at No. 2. Fernando, the Big South Freshman of the Year, took the first set, 6-1, but Menendez Alvarez claimed the next two, 6-4 and 6-2 for the victory.

All-Big South first-team singles selection van Eijkelenburg won the first set against Cocero, but Cocero responded by winning the next two, 6-4 and 6-4, respectively, to seal the match.

Freshman Nicole Di Bisceglia led Hepcal Barcan, 4-2, in the third set when the match ended.