By: UC Sports Information
Kansas City, MO - Following a historic postseason run at the NAIA National Championships, the University of the Cumberlands women's tennis team climbed to No. 7 in the final 2026 NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll with 138 points after entering the national tournament ranked No. 13.
The Patriots finished the season with a 17-6 overall record and advanced to the NAIA National Championship Quarterfinals for the first time in program history.
Cumberlands opened the national tournament with a dominant 4-0 sweep over No. 24 Bethel (Kan.). The Patriots secured the doubles point behind wins from the tandems of Haruna Kojima and Victoria Zarate at No. 2 doubles and Marina Nagai and Bryndis Rosa at No. 3 doubles. In singles play, YuFang Liu, Kojima, and Mahiro Hara each earned straight-set victories to clinch the match.
The Patriots followed with another impressive performance in the second round, defeating No. 8 SCAD Savannah 4-2 to earn the program's first-ever trip to the national quarterfinals. Kojima and Zarate teamed up for a win at No. 2 doubles, while Nagai and Rosa clinched the doubles point at No. 3. Kojima and Liu added singles victories before Rosa secured the match-clinching point with a straight-set win at No. 2 singles.
Cumberlands' historic season came to an end in the quarterfinal round against top-ranked Keiser. The Patriots claimed the doubles point with victories from the pairings of Zarate/Kojima and Nagai/Rosa before Keiser rallied in singles play to secure the match.
The Patriots conclude one of the most successful seasons in program history with 17 victories, a national quarterfinal appearance, and a six-spot jump to No. 7 in the final NAIA Coaches' Poll.
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