BOONE, N.C. – The App State women's tennis team travels to Georgia to face Kennesaw State on Friday, followed by a match against Mercer on Saturday. First serve for both matches is slated for 11 a.m.
Last Time Out
The Mountaineers (2-2) earned their second win of the season, defeating Western Carolina 6-1 on Saturday. The Catamounts had only four players available, giving the Mountaineers the doubles point following a win by Naledi Manyube and Taya Powell on Court 1. Due to the opponent's player shortage, the Mountaineers also took wins on courts 5 and 6, putting them one match away from clinching the dual.
Freshman Allegra Hodson secured the Mountaineers' fourth point of the day on Court 3, winning in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.
Scouting the Mountaineers
App State opened the 2026 season following a historic fall by Savannah Dada-Mascoll, who is currently ranked No. 6 nationally. Dada-Mascoll defeated nine ranked opponents, including then-No. 1 DJ Bennett, en route to becoming an NCAA singles quarterfinalist and earning All-American honors. Dada-Mascoll was named Sun Belt Women's Tennis Player of the Week after her performance against Virginia Tech All-American Özlem Uslu.
The Mountaineers are coming off consecutive wins against UNC Asheville and Western Carolina. App State nearly swept both opponents, dropping only one singles match across the two duals. Dada-Mascoll, Hodson, and Manyube are all over .500 to begin the year, with each holding only one loss through at least three matches played.
This year's roster retains six players: Dada-Mascoll, Ruby Broadbent, Alexi Cleveland, Manyube, Powell, and Isabela Romanichen. Third-year head coach Hannah Fetters also added two newcomers: Sreenidhi Balaji and Hodson.
Scouting the Owls
Kennesaw State (0-2) enters the match after finishing 7-8 (1-2 CUSA) in 2025. The Owls return six players from last year's squad and added two newcomers. This marks the first matchup between the Mountaineers and the Owls.
Kennesaw State is led by Director of Tennis Matt Emery, who is in his eighth year at the helm.
Scouting the Bears
Mercer (3-2) enters Saturday's match after completing a 7-14 (3-4 SoCon) season in 2025. The Bears return five players and added three newcomers. The Mountaineers last faced Mercer in 2017, a match the Bears won 4-3. Mercer leads the all-time series 3-1.
The Bears are led by head coach Eric Hayes, who is in his 13th year leading the program.
Next Up
The Mountaineers return to the High Country to host Austin Peay on Feb. 21. First serve is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the App State Tennis Courts at the Appalachian 105 Complex.
