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November 09, 2026 | Women's Tennis
Sophomore takes down nation's No. 2-ranked player en route to qualifying
LUBBOCK, Texas — Sophomore Jennifer Jackson delivered a breakthrough performance this weekend, knocking off one of the nation's top players and securing her place in the NCAA Individual Championships in Athens, Ga., later this month.
With three victories standing between her and a spot on the national stage, Jackson rose to the occasion, becoming the first Red Raider to qualify for the championship since 2024 and the first sophomore to accomplish the feat since Felicity Maltby in 2017.
Jackson wasted little time setting the tone, opening the weekend with a decisive 6-2, 6-2 victory over Notre Dame's Jessica Kovalcik. She carried that momentum into her next match, where she delivered a historic upset of Texas' Andreea Carmen Herea, the nation's No. 2-ranked player.
In a battle against one of the country's best, Jackson claimed a tightly contested first-set tiebreaker, 7-5, before pulling away for a 6-3 victory in the second. The win marked the highest-ranked individual victory in Texas Tech program history.
With her championship berth within reach, Jackson saved one more strong performance for last, defeating Tulsa's Alyssa Novoa in three sets, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, to punch her ticket to Athens.
The NCAA Individual Championships are set for Nov. 17-22 in Athens, Ga. Draws will be announced later this month.
RESULTS
Jennifer Jackson def. Jessica Kovalick 6-2, 6-2
Valerie Shue def. Erica Jessel 6-1, 6-3
Jennifer Jackson def. Andreea Carmen Herea 7(7)-6(5), 6-3
Chloe Noel def. Valerie Shue 6-4, 6-4
Jennifer Jackson def. Alyssa Novoa 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
Follow the Red Raiders: Keep up with Texas Tech women's tennis news at TexasTech.com and at the team's social media on Instagram, X and Facebook.
With three victories standing between her and a spot on the national stage, Jackson rose to the occasion, becoming the first Red Raider to qualify for the championship since 2024 and the first sophomore to accomplish the feat since Felicity Maltby in 2017.
Jackson wasted little time setting the tone, opening the weekend with a decisive 6-2, 6-2 victory over Notre Dame's Jessica Kovalcik. She carried that momentum into her next match, where she delivered a historic upset of Texas' Andreea Carmen Herea, the nation's No. 2-ranked player.
In a battle against one of the country's best, Jackson claimed a tightly contested first-set tiebreaker, 7-5, before pulling away for a 6-3 victory in the second. The win marked the highest-ranked individual victory in Texas Tech program history.
With her championship berth within reach, Jackson saved one more strong performance for last, defeating Tulsa's Alyssa Novoa in three sets, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, to punch her ticket to Athens.
The NCAA Individual Championships are set for Nov. 17-22 in Athens, Ga. Draws will be announced later this month.
RESULTS
Jennifer Jackson def. Jessica Kovalick 6-2, 6-2
Valerie Shue def. Erica Jessel 6-1, 6-3
Jennifer Jackson def. Andreea Carmen Herea 7(7)-6(5), 6-3
Chloe Noel def. Valerie Shue 6-4, 6-4
Jennifer Jackson def. Alyssa Novoa 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
Follow the Red Raiders: Keep up with Texas Tech women's tennis news at TexasTech.com and at the team's social media on Instagram, X and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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