The Liberty University Women’s Tennis team defeated the University of Delaware 4-0 to claim its first Conference USA (CUSA) title, April 18.
The Lady Flames held a strong record during the 2025-2026 season. Their final record was 16-9, with a short dry spell toward the end of the season being the only major trip-up. However, they held on as they traveled to Tennessee with the No. 6 seed in hand for the CUSA Women’s Tennis Championship.
The Lady Flames opened the tournament in dominating fashion, defeating No. 11 seed Missouri State University, 4-0 and No. 3 seed Kennesaw State University, 4-1 to set the tone. Sophomore Yoanna Radulova and junior Maria Turchetto were standout Lady Flames in doubles, helping Liberty clear the way early on.
The No. 2 seed Florida International University (FIU) faced a similar fate, though the Panthers did not go down without a fight. Both teams were tied 3-3, but Turchetto was able to pull through to seal a 4-3 win, advancing Liberty to the title-deciding match.
Liberty rode that momentum into the finals, sweeping the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens, 4-0 in a series of decisive matches. Only two of the three doubles were completed, seeing Radulova, Turchetto and freshman Milana Tsulygina earn the first points of the match for the Lady Flames.
Turchetto, Tsulygina and sophomore Anika Lemus won their singles to give Liberty the CUSA title.
Coming in as middle-of-the-road competitors and leaving with everything in true Lady Flames fashion, Liberty earned a bid into the NCAA Championship May 14–18 in Athens, Georgia, where the Lady Flames will get the chance to play for a national title.
Huckabay is a copy editor for the Liberty Champion.