Kansas City, MO – The UC women's tennis team continues its streak among the nation's elite, landing at No. 15 in the 2026 NAIA Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches' Poll, the national office announced Wednesday. This marks the 10th consecutive season the Patriots begin the year ranked among the top teams in the nation. 

Cumberlands wrapped up the 2025 campaign with an 18-6 overall record and an 18th-place national ranking, advancing to the Mid-South Conference Tournament Championship for the second straight season. The Patriots fell 4-0 in the title match to No. 3 Lindsey Wilson, despite a valiant effort from Karen Kondo, who won the first set at No. 1 singles and led 4-3 in the second before the match was left unfinished. 

The team carried that momentum into the fall, posting an impressive showing at the ITA Southeast Regional Championships in Georgetown, KY. UC saw two doubles teams reach the semifinals, as the No. 4-seeded pair of Marina Nagai and Haruna Kojima and the No. 3-seeded tandem of Liu YuFang and Victoria Zarate each handled strong competition to earn semifinal bids. 

In singles play, fourth-seeded Nagai led the Patriots with a quarterfinal finish, while five UC players, including Mahiro Hara, Kojima, Zarate, and Bryndis Rosa, registered victories to reach the Round of 16. 

With a deep and balanced lineup returning, including Nagai, YuFang, Kojima, Hara, and rising underclassmen talent, Cumberlands looks poised to challenge for another conference title and build on its long-standing national success. 

Keiser (Fla.) will begin the 2026 Women's Tennis season as the top-ranked team in the NAIA, while defending national champions Georgia Gwinnett (Ga.) sit at No. 2, and Mid-South rival Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) slots in at No. 3. 

Cumberlands opens their 2026 spring season on January 17, facing NCAA Division I opponent Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY. 

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