SURPRISE, AZ. – The third-seeded Nova Southeastern University women's tennis team is set to face 14th-seeded Slippery Rock in the Round of 16 of the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Championship on Tuesday, May 19. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. (ET) at the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex in Surprise, Arizona.
The winner of the matchup will advance to the quarterfinals to take on the winner of the contest between sixth-seeded Augustana (S.D.) and 11th-seeded Midwestern State.
The Sharks (18-7) enter the national tournament's Round of 16 ranked No. 4 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll. NSU is coming off an impressive South Region run, defeating third-seeded West Florida and second-seeded Embry-Riddle to secure its spot in the national stage.
Leading the way for the Sharks is Kristyna Hranacova, who holds the No. 1 national ranking in singles according to the ITA. Hranacova has also excelled in doubles play, forming the top pair in the country with Katja Markus, as the duo is currently ranked No. 1 nationally. Their consistent performance has been key to Nova Southeastern's success throughout the season.
NSU is no stranger to postseason play, as the program is making its fifth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Championship. Additionally, the Sharks are familiar with Slippery Rock, having faced the Rock in the Round of 16 last season and earning a convincing 4-0 victory.
Slippery Rock (16-3) enters the tournament ranked No. 28 and on a seven-match winning streak, including a conference tournament title. The Rock finished 5-1 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play and have been dominant of late, not dropping a single point in each of their last four matches. Despite their momentum, Slippery Rock has had limited success against Sunshine State Conference opponents, posting a 1-3 record against SSC teams since last season.
Leading the way for Slippery Rock is Alissia Kivi, who is nationally ranked in singles by the ITA. Kivi has been a consistent force at the top of the lineup throughout the season (18-4), providing the Rock with a reliable presence in both singles and doubles competition. In doubles play, she teams up with Nicole Kempton to form one of Slippery Rock's top pairings (19-8), combining strong chemistry and aggressive play to anchor the lineup and contribute key points during the Rock's recent winning streak.
With both teams carrying momentum into the national stage, Tuesday's matchup is expected to be a competitive battle with a spot in the national quarterfinals on the line.
For more information on the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's Tennis Championship, click HERE.
To stay up to date on Nova Southeastern women's tennis, follow the Sharks on Instagram and X at @NSU_WTennis.
