SURPRISE, Ariz. — One of the most successful seasons in IUP women's tennis history came to a close Tuesday afternoon as the Crimson Hawks fell 4-0 to Grand Valley State in the NCAA Division II Round of 16.

Facing the No. 2 team in the national tournament, IUP battled throughout the match but could not overcome the Lakers, who advanced to the national quarterfinals.

The Crimson Hawks finished the season with a 21-8 overall record after reaching the NCAA Round of 16 for the 12th time in program history and the first time since 2024.

The 2026 season featured several milestones for the program, including a school-record 15-match winning streak, a PSAC West regular-season championship and another NCAA regional pod title hosted in Indiana.

In doubles play Tuesday, IUP fought closely in multiple matches against the nationally ranked Lakers.

At No. 1 doubles, the pairing of Annemiek Sterk and Ifigeneia Kafka stayed competitive before falling 6-4. Hannah Beitat and Asel Calbay held the lead at No. 2 doubles when the point was clinched, while the second-team All-PSAC duo of Isabelle Oikawa Torres and Charliz Tabili dropped their match at No. 3.

Singles play featured several tightly contested battles despite the final score.

Junior Maria Moskaltsova opened strong at No. 3 singles, winning her first set 6-2 before Grand Valley State answered in the second set.

Freshman Charliz Tabili narrowly dropped her opening set 7-5, while Asel Calbay also captured her first set 7-5 and trailed just 3-2 in the second set when the match concluded.

Grand Valley State ultimately secured victories at No. 1, No. 5 and No. 6 singles to complete the sweep.

The loss closes the careers of several key veterans who helped continue IUP's run as one of the premier programs in the Atlantic Region.

Despite the defeat, the Crimson Hawks once again established themselves among the top teams in Division II tennis and will return a strong core heading into next season.