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Louisiana State University at Alexandria

The Official Athletics Website of The Louisiana State University of Alexandria Generals
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Melinda Descant

Descant was named the first women's tennis coach in LSUA history for the 2014-15 season.

Descant coached a young Generals' squad to a record of 9-6 and the program's 10th-consecutive NAIA National Championship appearance. The Generals entered the NAIA National Tournament as the 10-seed and defeated 23-seeded Bethel (Ind.) 4-0. Freshman Nahia Echaide closed the season ranked No. 34 in ITA NAIA Singles and earned RRAC First Team honors, while freshman Kanu Rajawat finished the year ranked 28th in ITA NAIA Singles while earning RRAC Freshman of the Year.

In 2023-24, Descant guided the Generals to a mark of 15-6, as well as a ninth-straight NAIA National Championship appearance. LSUA made the RRAC Finals and recorded a 4-0 win over the University of Mobile in the opening round of the NAIA National Championship. Olivia Scattini earned LSWA All-Louisiana Second Team honors, as well as being named an NAIA First Team All-American and ITA Doubles All-American. Annemart Kleijn earned NAIA Third Team honors and was named an ITA Doubles All-American.

LSUA posted a 13-4 record in the 2022-23 season and made the program's eight consecutive appearance in the NAIA National Championship. The Generals went on an eight-match winning streak from February 23 through March 16. Candela Bonivardi earned NAIA First Team All-American and ITA Singles All-American honors. Annemart Kleijn earned LSWA Second Team All-Louisiana honors. 

In 2021-22, the Generals posted a 19-1 record and made their seventh straight appearance in Mobile, Ala. LSUA won 19 consecutive matches, including NAIA National Championshp wins over Southeastern College (4-0), and SCAD Savannah (4-0) before suffering the season's only loss against Keiser University. Annemart Kleijn and Olivia Scattini were named ITA Doubles All-Americans. Patricia Martinez Molina was named an LSWA All-Louisiana Honorable Mention. Kleijn earned LSWA All-Louisiana Honorable Mention, while Scattini earned LSWA Second Team All-Louisiana along with Alicia Romero Gomez. Descant earned LSWA Coach of the Year honors.

The Generals recorded a record of 9-3 in the 2020-21 season and earned the program's sixth consecutive NAIA National Championship appearance. LSUA recorded a 4-1 victory over William Woods University in the first round of hte NAIA National Championship.

Descant guided the 2019-20 Generals to a record of 9-2 before the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the season. Patricia Martinez Molina earned LSWA All-Louisiana Honorable Mention honors. 

LSUA finished the 2018-19 season with a record of 8-5 and defeated Georgetown College (6-3) in the opening round of the NAIA National Championship. Patricia Perez earned NAIA Second Team All-American honors, while Sara Andrade earned LSWA All-Louisiana Honorable Mention.

The 2017-2018 season once again saw LSUA earn a spot in the NAIA National Championship. The Generals finished the season with a record of 12-7. They recorded a pair of wins in Mobile, Alabama at the NAIA National Championship over Asbury University (9-0) and William Carey (5-3). Milijana Milojevic earned NAIA Second Team All-American honors, while Alba Perny earned NAIA First Team All-American honors, ITA Singles All-American honors, and LSWA All-Louisiana Honorable Mention.

In 2016-17, the Generals posted 19 wins on the season as part of a 19-4 record. LSUA went on a 10-match winning streak from March 3 to April 1. The Generals made their third consecutive NAIA National Championship appearance, recording a pair of wins over Hastings (8-1) and the University of Northwest Oklahoma (5-4). Sara Andrade was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-Louisiana Honorable Mention. 

LSUA improved to 12 wins on the season in 2015-16, posting a 12-7 overall record. The Generals once again made the NAIA National Championship. Descant guided the team to a 5-4 win over Keiser University for the program's first NAIA National Championship Tournament victory.

In the program's inaugural season (2014-15), Descant led the Generals to a 10-4 record and an NAIA Women's Championship berth. The Generals opened the season with wins over LSU Shreveport and Loyola (New Orleans). Later in the season, LSUA went on a four-match winning streak with wins over Louisiana Christian, LSU Shreveport, North Central Texas College, and Texas A&M-Texarkana.

She had a successful career in coaching at Bunkie High School prio to joining LSUA. During this time, she coached numerous undefeated boys and girls teams as well as having a two-time state champ in boys singles and a state runner up girls team.

Descant resides in Bunkie with her husband Chuck.

DESCANT'S YEAR-BY-YEAR RECORD AT LSUA
 

YEAR W L PCT
2014-15 10 4 .714 Inaugural Season, 1st NAIA National Championship appearance
2015-16 12 7 .632 2nd NAIA National Championship appearance, First NAIA Tournament win
2016-17 19 4 .826 8th NAIA National Championship appearance
2017-18 12 7 .632 4th NAIA National Championship appearance,
2018-19 8 5 .615 5th NAIA National Championship appearance
2019-20 9 2 .818 COVID-19 pandemic canceled NAIA National Championship
2020-21 9 3 .750 6th NAIA National Championship appearance
2021-22 19 1 .950 7th NAIA National Championship appearance, LSWA Louisiana Coach of the Year
2022-23 13 4 .765 8th  NAIA National Championship appearance
2023-24 15 6 .714 9th NAIA National Championship appearance
2024-25 9 6 .600 10th NAIA National Championship appearance
TOTALS 135 49 .734