Mississippi State Starts off Strong with a Doubleheader Sweep

Sunday, January 18

Starkville

12 p.m.

Mississippi State

UAB

Mississippi State Starts off Strong with a Doubleheader Sweep

January 18, 2026 | Women's Tennis

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Sophia Karavantos-Schnur, Athletic Communications

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State women's tennis opens the season with a doubleheader sweep.

The Bulldogs started off the day defeating UAB 7-0. State then followed by earning their second team win against Samford 6-1.

State took an early lead on the Blazers, winning the doubles point thanks to the duo pair of Athina Pitta/Mia Robinson and Emma Cohen/Thessy Ntondele Zinga. In singles, the Bulldogs were able to secure three straight points with victories from Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz (6-1, 6-3), Thessy Ntondele Zinga (6-1, 6-4), and Athina Pitta (6-2, 6-4).

In the afternoon slate against Samford, MSU was able to secure the doubles point with the duos of Pitta/Robinson and Chiara Di Genova/Ntondele Zinga. Four Bulldogs earned their second singles victories against Samford.

Freshmen Ntondele Zinga and Robinson both had standout performances earning their first collegiate dual match win in both singles and doubles.

Match Notes
• MSU is now 19-5 when playing a doubleheader under Head Coach Chris Hooshyar.
• Athina Pitta and Mia Robinson start off strong as a duo by contributing to both doubles points against UAB and Samford.
• State stays undefeated against Samford continuing their win streak 12-0.
• The bulldogs earned a doubles sweep in both matches, extending their streak to 12.

Up Next
Mississippi State will travel to Norfolk, Va. to take on their second doubleheader of the season against Old Dominion at 1 p.m. followed by Norfolk State at 5 p.m.

Match Results vs. UAB
Doubles
1. Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz/Gianna Oboniye (MSU) vs. Kristyna Damaskova/Klara Kajabova (UAB) – 5-5 UF
2. Emma Cohen/Thessy Ntondele Zinga (MSU) def. Gresi Bajri/Nera Tesankic (UAB) – 6-4
3. Athina Pitta/Mia Robinson def. Julia Caffarena/Antonia Ende (UAB) - 6-1
Mississippi State won the Doubles Point
Order of Finish: 3, 2,

Singles
1. Gianna Oboniye (MSU) def. Kristyna Damaskova (UAB) – 6-3, 3-6(6)
2. Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz (MSU) def. Nera Tesankic (UAB) - 6-1 6-3
3. Thessy Ntondele Zinga (MSST) def. Klara Kajabova (UAB) - 6-1, 6-4
4. Chiara Di Genova (MSST) def. Gresi Bajri (UAB) - 6-4, 6-0
5. Mia Robinson (MSU) def. Julia Caffarena (UAB) – 6-3, 6-1(5)
6. Athina Pitta (MSST) def. Antonia Ende (UAB) - 6-2, 6-4
Order of Finish: 2, 3, 6*, 4, 1, 5
* Clincher

Match Results vs. Samford
Doubles
1. Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz/Emma Cohen (MSU) vs. Lea Erenda/Sara Erenda (SAM) – 4-3 UF
2. Athina Pitta/Mia Robinson (MSU) def. Eleni Liakonis/Hailey Troup (SAM) – 6-0
3. Chiara Di Genova/Thessy Ntondele Zinga (MSU) def. Cathy Cardona-Carballosa (SAM) – 6-2
Mississippi State won the Doubles Point
Order of Finish: 2, 3

Singles
1. Thessy Ntondele Zinga (MSU) def. Lea Erenda (SAM) – 6-1, 6-1
2. Sara Erenda (SAM) def. Carolina Troiano (MSU) – 6-1, 6-3
3. Mia Robinson (MSU) def. Eleni Liakonis (SAM) – 6-7, 6-0, 10-7
4. Chiara Di Genova (MSU) def. Laila Fishman (SAM) – 6-4, 6-1
5. Athina Pitta (MSU) def. Minyoung Park (SAM) – 6-0, 6-0
6. Emma Cohen (MSU) def. Cathy Cardona-Carballosa (SAM) – 6-0, 3-6, 6-4
Order of Finish: 5, 1, 2, 4*, 3, 6
* Clincher

For more Information on the Bulldog women's tennis program, visit Hailstate.com or search for "HailstateWT" on X, Instagram and Facebook.

– HailState.com –