CLINTON, Miss. — On a day dedicated to honoring its seniors, Mississippi College senior Emma Roberts delivered a historic performance, upsetting the nation's No. 1-ranked singles player to headline a dramatic Senior Day split at the MC Tennis Complex on Saturday morning.

Roberts, ranked No. 40 nationally, stunned Lee University's Ashleigh Simes — the top-ranked player in NCAA Division II — with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory on Court 1, propelling the No. 22 Lady Choctaws to a hard-fought 4-3 win over No. 13 Lee in a pivotal Gulf South Conference matchup. The win moved MC to 17-4 overall and 6-1 in GSC play, while Lee fell to 13-2, 6-2 GSC.

The Lady Choctaws clinched the match behind early momentum in singles, rallying after dropping the doubles point. Ana Julissa De Mata and Rocio Martinez joined Roberts in earning straight-set victories, while Alizee Ripolles sealed the win at the No. 6 line with a 6-4, 6-2 decision.

MC dropped two doubles matches before clawing back in singles, where the top three lines swept their matches.

Meanwhile, the No. 26 MC men's team (13-8, 4-3 GSC) fell to No. 18 Lee (13-2, 6-2 GSC), 4-3, despite another statement showing at the top of the lineup.

Alex Blanchard, ranked No. 3 nationally, dominated No. 44 Wihan van der Merwe, 6-4, 6-1, at No. 1 singles to highlight the Choctaws' effort. He also teamed with Rafael Sabio for a thrilling 7-6 (13-11) win at No. 1 doubles, the lone doubles victory for MC.

Sergio Ramirez Ocana added a straight-set win at No. 6 singles (6-1, 6-0), but Lee took three three-set battles to edge out the victory. Sabio, Florian Walcher, and Alvaro Saint Martin each fell in hard-fought matches that went the distance.

MC wraps up regular season play next week with a pair of key GSC contests before heading to Montgomery, Ala., for the Gulf South Conference Championships.