DURANT, Okla. — The Harding women's tennis team secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State on Friday, clinching the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Great American Conference Tournament, pending review by the conference office. The Lady Bisons improved to 10-11 overall and 3-2 in GAC play with the win.

Harding took an early 1-0 lead after doubles competition. The No. 13-ranked duo of Alexia Zarate Valdez and Karli Roux defeated Jou Chen Chen and Larissa Giraldi Correa 6-3. Natalia Alvarez and Itza Rogel followed suit with a 6-2 victory over Tania Sfilio and Sara Gonzalez. Southeastern Oklahoma claimed the final doubles match with Emilse Ruiz and Amishi Shukla defeating Sofia Sarmiento Ruiz and Madison Stafford 7-5.

In singles play, No. 13 Zarate Valdez continued her strong performance, defeating Larissa Giraldi Correa 6-4, 6-1. No. 59 Karli Roux also earned a victory for the Lady Bisons, battling past Milana Voloshyn 7-5, 6-1. The decisive fourth point for Harding came from Sofia Sarmiento Ruiz, who outlasted Amishi Shukla in a three-set thriller, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3.

Southeastern Oklahoma picked up three singles wins. Emilse Ruiz defeated Itza Rogel 6-3, 6-2. Jou Chen Chen overcame Madison Stafford in a close three-set match, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Sara Gonzalez defeated Natalia Alvarez 6-1, 6-3.

The match lasted three hours and 50 minutes. With this victory, Harding secures the No. 2 seed in the upcoming GAC Tournament, pending final confirmation from the conference office. The Lady Bisons concluded their regular season with this pivotal road win.