McNeese Tennis Eyeing Southland Conference Title

Cowgirls host 7-time champion Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with conference crown on the line

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:22pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a women's tennis match, with overlapping planes of navy, green, and yellow conveying the dynamic energy and competition of the sport.McNeese's quest for a Southland Conference tennis title pits the Cowgirls against the conference's dominant program in a high-stakes showdown.Lake Charles Today

The McNeese State women's tennis team has already secured a share of the Southland Conference regular-season title, and they can claim the championship outright with a win over defending champion Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday. The Cowgirls, led by standout players Salome Fluri and Ana Hollwag, have won 14 straight matches and are 19-1 on the season.

Why it matters

McNeese's women's tennis program is on the verge of its second-ever Southland Conference title, a significant milestone for the team and the university. A win over the perennial champion Islanders would cement the Cowgirls' status as the conference's top team and provide momentum heading into the postseason tournament.

The details

The Cowgirls can clinch the Southland Conference title with a victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday at the Nancy Hawk Tennis Center in Lake Charles. McNeese has already wrapped up a share of the regular-season title, but a win over the seven-time defending champion Islanders would give them the championship outright. The Cowgirls enter the match with a 19-1 record and a 14-match winning streak, led by standout players Salome Fluri and Ana Hollwag.

  • The match is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • McNeese could also clinch the title by winning their final regular-season match against Texas-Rio Grande Valley on Monday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Salome Fluri

A standout player for the McNeese Cowgirls, Fluri was named both Freshman and Player of the Year by the Southland Conference last season.

Ana Hollwag

The junior Hollwag leads the Cowgirls this season with an 18-2 singles record and a 17-2 doubles record with her partner Naomi Hagi.

Naomi Hagi

Hagi is 14-2 in singles play and has teamed up with Ana Hollwag for a 17-2 doubles record this season.

Elena Morles

Morles has won 11 straight singles matches and posted a 17-1 record on the season for the Cowgirls.

Sonia Carlson

The second-year head coach of the McNeese women's tennis team, Carlson has guided the Cowgirls to a 19-1 record and a share of the Southland Conference regular-season title.

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What they’re saying

“This is very exciting for us. The girls have worked really hard for this.”

— Sonia Carlson, Head Coach

“We want to win it against them because they have been the best team. We want to do this in front of our home fans, and we have the momentum right now going for us.”

— Sonia Carlson, Head Coach

“We remembered what happened last year and want to win the championship. They beat us last year, and that's why we want it more this year. We are hungrier now.”

— Ana Hollwag, Junior

What’s next

The winner of Saturday's match between McNeese and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi will earn the top seed in the upcoming Southland Conference tournament.

The takeaway

McNeese's women's tennis team has emerged as a force in the Southland Conference, building on last year's success and setting their sights on the program's second conference title. A win over the perennial champion Islanders would cement the Cowgirls' status as the team to beat in the league.