PHOENIX, Ariz. – Hope International's Ayala Stephens captured the singles title at the ITA women's tennis NAIA Fall Championship last weekend.

Seeded No. 2 in the draw, Stephens earned a bye in the round of 32. 

In the round of 16, Stephens faced her first opponent – Waraporn Muangpho of Stanton – and posted a 6-2, 6-3 victory. 

Stephens advanced in a walkover against No. 10 Antonia Kostoff of OUAZ in the quarterfinals, setting up a showdown with No. 3 Paula Rodriguez of Stanton in the semifinals.

Stephens prevailed in that matchup after dropping the first set, rebounding for a 1-6, 7-5, 10-5 triumph.

That moved her into the finals and a meeting with top-seeded Martina Antich. Stephens posted the 6-4, 6-3 win over the OUAZ foe to claim the title.

Stephens will now advance to the NAIA National Singles Championship, which features all the overall winners from NAIA Regional Tournaments from around the country.

Josie Miranda also competed for the Royals in the West Regional. She lost her round of 32 matchup to OUAZ's Michelle Pugh by a 6-1, 6-0 score. In the consolation bracket, Miranda fell 8-1 to College of Idaho's Nicole Tran.

In doubles action, Stephens and Miranda lost their opening round contest, 8-6, to OUAZ's Kostoff and Sienna Johnson.