ROME, Ga. – In its first postseason opportunity in program history, Arkansas State defeated North Alabama 4-2 in the 2026 UTR Sports NIT Championship match on Thursday morning in Rome, Georgia.
 
The Red Wolves secured a 4-2 win over North Alabama to clinch the first postseason tournament title in program history and finish the season with a 16-9 record, marking the program's best finish since posting a 16-8 mark in 2002. Sophomore Carla Muro Castellvi was named MVP after going 3-0 for the Red Wolves at No. 3 singles and 1-0 at No. 1 doubles. Muro Castellvi won all three singles matches in the tournament in straight sets. 
 
Arkansas State opened the match with an early 1-0 lead after clinching the doubles point on courts two and three. Hanmare McAslin and Sun Belt Player to Watch Meghna Arun Kumar picked up a 6-4 win on court three. Sarah Millard and Anna Grigoreva provided a 6-3 win on court two to secure the 1-0 advantage.
 
Muro Castellvi increased the lead to 2-0 with a 6-0, 7-6 win on court three, North Alabama won on court six to give the Lions their first point in the match. Arun Kumar came away with 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 win on court five to make it 3-1, however the Lions took court one to narrow the margins, 3-2. Cvanciger clinched the match with a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 triumph on court two.
 
Arkansas State’s 16 wins to finish the season mark only the seventh time in program history a team has posted 16-plus wins. The Red Wolves have 29 wins over the last two seasons, which is the most in a two-year span since claiming 30 wins over the 1999 (13-8) and 2000 (17-4) seasons.