TWU Holds Off Union to Capture Women's Tennis Championship; All-AAC Team, Awards Announced

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Like most heavyweight fights, the 2024 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Tennis Tournament championship match nearly went the distance as top-seeded Tennessee Wesleyan held off No. 2 seed Union for the 4-2 win and the tournament title on Saturday.

The three-day event was held at the Champions Tennis Club in Chattanooga, Tenn.

This is Tennessee Wesleyan's first tournament title since the AAC resumed holding the tournament in 2014. Tennessee Wesleyan met Union in the finals last year, but Union won the 2023 crown by a score of 5-0.

Tennessee Wesleyan won two of the three doubles matches to claim the early 1-0 match lead.

Union scored wins at No. 2 and No. 4 singles, while Tennessee Wesleyan won at No. 3 and No. 5 to make it 3-2 TWU. No. 1 singles was in the third set when Raquel Canadas won at No. 6 singles 6-2, 7-5 for the match-clinching point.

With the win, Tennessee Wesleyan receives an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship Tournament, which is set for May 14-18 in Mobile, Ala.

The All-AAC Team and awards were announced following the match. Olivia Alcala of Tennessee Wesleyan is the Player of the Year for the second year in a row, while Laia Berne of Tennessee Wesleyan is the Freshman of the Year. Francisco Gallardo of Tennessee Wesleyan is the Coach of the Year.

In all, 11 were named to the All-AAC first team, five to the second team, and seven to the All-Freshmen Team.

The All-Academic and Champions of Character teams will be announced on Tuesday.

For a look at the All-AAC Team, click here.

Thursday, April 11 - All matches will begin at 10 a.m.
Match 1 - No. 1 Tennessee Wesleyan def. No. 8 Truett McConnell, 4-0
Match 2 - No. 2 Union def. No. 7 Pikeville, 4-0
Match 3 - No. 3 Reinhardt def. No. 6 Milligan, 4-0
Match 4 - No. 4 SCAD Atlanta def. No. 5 Brenau, 4-1

Friday, April 12 - All matches will begin approximately at 12:30 p.m.
Match 5 - Tennessee Wesleyan def. SCAD Atlanta, 4-0
Match 6 - Union def. Reinhardt, 4-1

Saturday, April 13 - Match will begin at 10 a.m.
Match 7 - Championship Match - Tennessee Wesleyan def. Union, 4-2