WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – The Mercyhurst women's tennis team traveled to New Jersey on Thursday to compete in the 2026 NEC Tennis Championships tournament. Entering the tournament as the 8^th seed, the Lakers were looking to earn an early win against the Bearcats of Binghamton, the 9^th seed.
 
In singles competition, Daria Rogova competed on the first court where she came away with an opening set win of 6-2, but the match would go unfinished after a 4-2 second set. Simone Mercier was looking to continue her strong play on the second court, where she also won her opening set 6-2. She was trailing her opponent 5-2 before the match was abandoned. On the third court, Kiersten Brown was looking to gain an advantage for the Lakers. She kept her opening set close before falling 6-4 and eventually fell 6-0 in her final set of the match. Ellyana Jacobs also kept her first set close, falling 6-4, but managed to earn a 3-2 lead in her second set before her match was abandoned. Celeste Davis and Mollie Gray were the last line of defense for the Lakers but fell 6-0 in both of their matches.
 
In doubles competition, the leading Laker duo of Mercier and Brown were looking to have a strong start for the Blue and Green, but fell 6-1. The second team of Rogova and Jacobs kept their match tied 3-3 in a tight contest before the match was ultimately abandoned. The final Laker duo of Davis and Gray fell 6-1 in the final doubles match of the morning.
 
The Bearcats ultimately came away with a 4-0 in over the Lakers, advancing to the quarterfinals.
 
This marks the first time that the Lakers have participated in the NEC Tennis Championships.