TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 20 Valdosta State women's tennis season came to an end in the 2026 Gulf South Conference Semifinals Friday afternoon with a 4-0 loss to No. 7 Mississippi College.  
 
With an entirely new roster in 2025-26, the Blazers had their best season since 2017 finishing at 11-9 on the year and went 5-3 in league play.  Mississippi College use a pair of 6-3 wins at Nos. 1 and 3 doubles for the early lead. 
 
In singles, No. 4-ranked Emily Buchanan posted a 6-0, 6-3 win over junior Milica Prokic, while No. 64 Anna Hudson won 6-1, 6-2 over junior Charleigh Fay for a 3-0 lead.  No. 45 Blazer sophomore Ivana Castillo Hurtado battled back from a 6-1 loss in the first set for a 6-3 win the second, but fell 6-1 in the third as the Choctaws advanced to the championship match.  
 
For the three unfinished matches, senior Lena Beckx battled back from a 6-2 loss in the opening set for a 6-0 win in the second and trailed 4-3 in the third, while junior Kitti Nemeth won the opening set 7-6 (8-6) and held a 3-0 lead in the second set over No. 75 Ann Cabot Stockett.  MC's Rune Van Wyk, ranked 63^rd nationally, won the opening set 7-6 (7-3) and held a 5-2 lead in the second set over senior Carmelle Vial.  
 
With a majority of the team returning next season, the Blazers look to improve on the performance this season in 2026-27.