ROCKY MOUNT, N.C.  The No. 70-ranked Methodist women's tennis team advanced to the championship match of the 2026 USA South Women's Tennis Tournament on Friday, defeating Pfeiffer University 4–1 at the Slick Family Foundation Tennis Center on the campus of North Carolina Wesleyan.

JUST THE FACTS
Final Scores: Methodist def. Pfeiffer 4–1
Records: Methodist 15–2; Pfeiffer 13–5
Location: Slick Family Foundation Tennis Center; Rocky Mount, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Playing to clinch, Methodist secured the doubles point to take an early 1–0 advantage.
• The No. 2 duo of Caitlin Tihanovich and Helen Hofmann set the tone with a 6–2 victory before the top pair of Emma Hulicki and Shea Bieniek followed with a 6–3 win to lock up the point.
• In singles play, the Monarchs continued to build momentum. Addison Haden was first off the court, cruising to a 6–1, 6–1 victory at No. 6 singles to extend the lead to 2–0.
• Shortly after, Bieniek pushed the advantage to 3–0 with a straight-set 6–4, 6–3 win at the No. 4 position.
• Pfeiffer picked up its lone point at No. 5 singles, but Methodist quickly responded.
• At No. 3 singles, Tihanovich sealed the match for the Monarchs, battling through a first-set tiebreak before pulling away for a 7–6, 6–2 victory to clinch the 4–1 result.

UP NEXT
Methodist returns to the court Saturday, April 25, to face host North Carolina Wesleyan University in the USA South Championship match. First serve is scheduled for 10 AM.